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A ghastly sight behind China's glamorous garment industry
Xintang and Gurao are two towns known for churning out millions of garments every year.
The former's output exceeds 260 pieces annually, and exports over 60 per cent of China's denim clothing. The latter produces 200 million bras a year.
But they are known for something else as well: Pollution.
The river near Dadun Village of Xintang is not just polluted, it's downright toxic. Not only does it emit a vomit-inducing stench, the river's 'water' causes skin to itch or even canker on contact.
And it's not just the environment that suffers, the people complain of skin dyed blue permanently and itchy skin. But they have no choice; it's their livelihood on the line.
Water discharged from a denim clothing factory in Xintang paints a blue, bleak picture for this polluted river and the surrounding villages.
The pollution from the factories have dire consequences for the workers too.
Mr Luo (left), is a migrant worker who came from Hubei to Xintang.
His fingers have been stained blue from fabric and he has skin problems.
Waste water is discharged from the factory directly into the river without any treatment.
Its waters are very polluted and is considered five grades below average by pollution analysts.
Not only is the water stained red, it is also choked with rubbish.
A worker told the Chinese news source that the river changes colour according to what is being dumped into it.
Villagers said there are no fish in the water.
The water is also not potable and cannot be used for clothes washing.
There are huge mosquitoes and the villagers do not open their windows due to the smell.
200 tonnes of polluted water is produced with each tonne of dyed garments.
Xintang and Gurao are two towns known for churning out millions of garments every year.
The former's output exceeds 260 pieces annually, and exports over 60 per cent of China's denim clothing. The latter produces 200 million bras a year.
But they are known for something else as well: Pollution.
The river near Dadun Village of Xintang is not just polluted, it's downright toxic. Not only does it emit a vomit-inducing stench, the river's 'water' causes skin to itch or even canker on contact.
And it's not just the environment that suffers, the people complain of skin dyed blue permanently and itchy skin. But they have no choice; it's their livelihood on the line.
Water discharged from a denim clothing factory in Xintang paints a blue, bleak picture for this polluted river and the surrounding villages.
The pollution from the factories have dire consequences for the workers too.
Mr Luo (left), is a migrant worker who came from Hubei to Xintang.
His fingers have been stained blue from fabric and he has skin problems.
Waste water is discharged from the factory directly into the river without any treatment.
Its waters are very polluted and is considered five grades below average by pollution analysts.
Not only is the water stained red, it is also choked with rubbish.
A worker told the Chinese news source that the river changes colour according to what is being dumped into it.
Villagers said there are no fish in the water.
The water is also not potable and cannot be used for clothes washing.
There are huge mosquitoes and the villagers do not open their windows due to the smell.
200 tonnes of polluted water is produced with each tonne of dyed garments.
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The pollution is of their own making and nothing to do with wearing denims.
