Benzene Poisoning in China
Benzene is the most common cause of industrial poisoning in China. According to official statistics, over 60% of all occupational cancers are caused by benzene[1]. In the industrial city of Dongguan, 30% of all diagnosed occupational diseases are caused by benzene poisoning[2]. Those who have suffered chronic benzene poisoning often requires life-long treatment; many dies. Acute benzene poisoning has a fatality rate of 21.7%.[3]
In 1996, the media uncovered a series of benzene poisoning cases in the shoe-making town of Putian, Fujian, some dating back to the 80s. A collective case in 1993 was of particular note; a group of workers got violently sick after working for a few months in Jinjiang factory; two pregnant workers subsequently died from leukemia together with their unborn child. Atmospheric benzene content in the town was also revealed to be 30% above maximum permissible level, and local residents expressed fear of its health effect on them and their next generation.[4]
In 2000, another collective case was revealed in a shoe factory in Nanhai, Guangdong. Among its 200 workers, 44 show signs of benzene poisoning. In response the authorities carried out health check for workers in 17 other shoe factories, uncovering another 67 cases.[5]
In 2002, 31 workers from luggage factories in Gaobeidian, Hebei were diagnosed with benzene poisoning; 9 died.[6] The average age of the workers poisoned was only 17 years old, which has worked there for an average of 10.8 months[7]. Their employers were later found guilty of causing major industrial incident and sentenced to 6 months to 4 years imprisonment[8].
In 2004, 11 workers in the painting department of a forestry plant in Fujian was sent to hospital because of acute benzene poisoning. The hospitalized workers were foaming at the month and suffering from convulsion.
In 2010, 35 workers at a hair products factory in Xuchang, Henan were found to be benzene poisoned. Half of them suffered from aplastic anemia, a debilitating blood cancer[9].
The above shows only the tip of the iceberg, consisting of cases that managed to gain media attention and/or state recognition. Yet they are still sufficient to show that benzene poses a substantial and life-threatening threat to workers across the country and across industries, working with paint, glue and other common solvents.
The Ministry of Health has flagged up the issue of benzene poisoning as early as 2002, but has so far been ineffective in curbing the problem. While there are industrial standards in place for permissible exposure level, it is often unenforced. Factory inspections are mostly a sham, and problems are not spotted until people actually get sick.
In 1996, the media uncovered a series of benzene poisoning cases in the shoe-making town of Putian, Fujian, some dating back to the 80s. A collective case in 1993 was of particular note; a group of workers got violently sick after working for a few months in Jinjiang factory; two pregnant workers subsequently died from leukemia together with their unborn child. Atmospheric benzene content in the town was also revealed to be 30% above maximum permissible level, and local residents expressed fear of its health effect on them and their next generation.[4]
In 2000, another collective case was revealed in a shoe factory in Nanhai, Guangdong. Among its 200 workers, 44 show signs of benzene poisoning. In response the authorities carried out health check for workers in 17 other shoe factories, uncovering another 67 cases.[5]
In 2002, 31 workers from luggage factories in Gaobeidian, Hebei were diagnosed with benzene poisoning; 9 died.[6] The average age of the workers poisoned was only 17 years old, which has worked there for an average of 10.8 months[7]. Their employers were later found guilty of causing major industrial incident and sentenced to 6 months to 4 years imprisonment[8].
In 2004, 11 workers in the painting department of a forestry plant in Fujian was sent to hospital because of acute benzene poisoning. The hospitalized workers were foaming at the month and suffering from convulsion.
In 2010, 35 workers at a hair products factory in Xuchang, Henan were found to be benzene poisoned. Half of them suffered from aplastic anemia, a debilitating blood cancer[9].
The above shows only the tip of the iceberg, consisting of cases that managed to gain media attention and/or state recognition. Yet they are still sufficient to show that benzene poses a substantial and life-threatening threat to workers across the country and across industries, working with paint, glue and other common solvents.
The Ministry of Health has flagged up the issue of benzene poisoning as early as 2002, but has so far been ineffective in curbing the problem. While there are industrial standards in place for permissible exposure level, it is often unenforced. Factory inspections are mostly a sham, and problems are not spotted until people actually get sick.
[1] 卫生部通报2010年职业病防治工作情况和2011年重点工作 (http://www.moh.gov.cn/mohwsjdj/s5854/201105/51676.shtml).
[2] 东莞常见4种职业病 三成源自苯中毒 (http://news.qq.com/a/20090611/000446.htm)
[3] 卫生部：急性苯中毒死亡率高达21.7％http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shehui/47/20020402/700372.html
[4] 妈祖有泪（苯毒危害女工报告之一）http://old.chinacourt.org/public/detail.php?id=7593
[5] 毒胶水害苦鞋厂工人 中毒打工仔入院治疗http://news.sina.com.cn/s/159341.html
[6] 紧急追查“苯中毒”事件http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shehui/212/7792/
[7] 2002年高碑店市箱包业苯中毒事件调查分析http://file.lw23.com/9/94/94c/94c572c7-7ee7-418c-8206-231b7c64a21a.pdf
[8] 河北高碑店“苯中毒”事件八名厂主被判有罪http://www.unn.com.cn/GB/channel19/49/117/200207/26/198963.html
[9] 福州一工厂发生急性苯中毒事故http://www.chinasafety.gov.cn/wangluocankao/2004-07/13/content_16289.htm
[10] 许昌一家企业密封严 十多天发现30名员工苯中毒 http://www.dahe.cn/xwzx/sz/t20100330_1772565.htm
[2] 东莞常见4种职业病 三成源自苯中毒 (http://news.qq.com/a/20090611/000446.htm)
[3] 卫生部：急性苯中毒死亡率高达21.7％http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shehui/47/20020402/700372.html
[4] 妈祖有泪（苯毒危害女工报告之一）http://old.chinacourt.org/public/detail.php?id=7593
[5] 毒胶水害苦鞋厂工人 中毒打工仔入院治疗http://news.sina.com.cn/s/159341.html
[6] 紧急追查“苯中毒”事件http://www.people.com.cn/GB/shehui/212/7792/
[7] 2002年高碑店市箱包业苯中毒事件调查分析http://file.lw23.com/9/94/94c/94c572c7-7ee7-418c-8206-231b7c64a21a.pdf
[8] 河北高碑店“苯中毒”事件八名厂主被判有罪http://www.unn.com.cn/GB/channel19/49/117/200207/26/198963.html
[9] 福州一工厂发生急性苯中毒事故http://www.chinasafety.gov.cn/wangluocankao/2004-07/13/content_16289.htm
[10] 许昌一家企业密封严 十多天发现30名员工苯中毒 http://www.dahe.cn/xwzx/sz/t20100330_1772565.htm
