A group of 36 Chinese environmental groups has accused Apple of failing to address concerns over pollution and worker health issues in factories supplying components for its gadgets. In a report to be published on Thursday, the groups rank Apple last in a list of 29 multinational technology companies...“Apple behaved differently from the other big brands and seemed totally complacent and unresponsive,” said to Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, a well-known Chinese NGO and the main author of the report...A person familiar with Apple’s supply chain dealings disputed aspects of the NGOs’ account of their communication with Apple. The person said Apple rigorously investigates and audits conditions at “even suppliers to its suppliers” – a rarity in the industry – and acted against those found to have violated its standards. [also refers to Alcatel-Lucent, BT, Ericsson, Hitachi, HP, LG, Lianjian Technology (part of Wintek), Nokia, Samsung, Sharp, SingTel, Sony, Suzhou Yunheng Hardware, Toshiba, Vodafone]