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exposed to these toxins first hand.

Some businesses now locate a manufacturer in China, then fly over and inspect the work conditions in which their product is being made. But some sit behind their computers and foreign trade is conducted via email and the click of a button.

The problem is that many businesses fail to see the entire picture, just focusing on the end result of profit margins and sales.

Currently there is a boom in consultancy firms that are employed to outsource the best Chinese manufacturers available. Whether they source cheaper production and not safety conditions, is dependant on the consultancy.
Businesses who use manufacturing in China must start looking at the safety conditions of the workers in China. Eventually, when something goes wrong it could mean the end of that company's reputation, and eventually business. With a county that cannot provide the safety conditions in which we demand for ourselves, and with workers unable to voice their concerns, those with the power, backing and finances should be stepping up to meet these needs.

Making people aware is the key. By providing good example, close contact and making the world aware of what goes on behind the scenes of Chinese manufacturing, is the key to improving the situation for all.

ARE WE AS CONSUMERS, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH OF CHINESE WORKERS

In my opinion, no, consumers hold no responsibility what so ever for the health of Chinese workers. Whatever item we purchase, from any type of store, it will be either Made in China or contain some part that was. Most big business outsourcers their labor to China, something we do not have a say in.

What are we supposed to do? Stop putting batteries in our children's toys? Not purchase the BBQ that we so want for summer this year? What about the pens we use to write with, do we need to troll through every pen manufacturer to determine which ones are not made in China? We purchase what we know and what we're comfortable with; at times we grab whatever is at hand. We don't look at the label to determine which country it was manufactured in.

We're not given the option to buy "American made" as often as we should. If we were, I'm sure many people would consider purchasing these products, at a price. That's the catch 22; we need cheap items, as our wages certainly have not increased due to inflation and higher living costs. Cheaper made products are highly desirable to the many of us on a budget. Purchasing products according to higher quality and

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