Big brands to blame for polluted rivers

ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNS   SUPPLIERS   WATER POLLUTION

China - Suppliers of global brands such as Adidas and Nike have been accused of filling China's major rivers with hazardous chemical substances.

According to a Greenpeace report, samples of wastewater discharge from two factories in the Yangtze and Pearl River deltas contained hazardous chemicals. The factories had been identified as suppliers for the brands, AFP reported.

Laboratory testings revealed the samples contained nonylphenols and perfluorinated chemicals capable of disrupting the hormone balance in humans.

"These brands have the ability and responsibility to work with their suppliers to provide products that do not irrevocably damage the environment and public health," Greenpeace campaigner Vivien Yau said.

When contacted by AFP, Nike denied the use of such chemicals and believed they were not contributing to the pollution of the Yangtze Delta.

Meanwhile Greenpeace campaign manager Gloria Chang said they were not just focused on the two companies identified in the report. "We are saying this is just the tip of the entire iceberg."

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