Some workers are suffering from cadmium poisoning. The workers were involved in the production of batteries for Gold Peak Industries at its Huizhou factories. They not warned of the dangers of handling highly dangerous cadmium and were initially refused masks or given inadequate protection. Many suffered excessive exposure and as a result faced huge medical bills and were unable to find new employment. Efforts to petition the authorities led to warnings from management and the Huizhou government, including threats of prosecution. A compensation fund was established in August 2005 but was so poorly managed that by mid-2006, according to Gold Peak’s own statements, only four percent of the 400 workers affected by cadmium had received funds.:
Hong-Kong
