[E]nvironmental groups have accused Apple suppliers…of systemic pollution…In a report…five Chinese non-governmental organisations said…[Apple] was using suppliers with public records of environmental violations and taking “advantage of the loopholes in developing countries’ environmental management systems”…According to the report…air pollution from two electronics factories prompted villagers to send their children to faraway schools. Villagers also say they have noticed increased cancer rates since the two factories, Kaedar Electronics (Kunshan) and Unimicron Electronics, were established…Analysts said that Unimicron and Pegatron, the parent company of Kaedar, were suppliers to Apple, but could not confirm whether Kaedar was. Apple did not respond to questions seeking to confirm whether individual companies mentioned in the report were its suppliers or not. “Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply base,” said Carolyn Wu, an Apple spokeswoman. “We require that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made.”…Kaedar declined to comment and Unimicron could not be reached. [also refers to Foxconn (part of Hon Hai)]