China: The Many Hazards of Growing Too Fast--Poisoning the World

China's economic growth rate has been amazing. Combining the capitalist ethic with the world's oldest, largest, and most entrepreneurial culture has yielded huge financial dividends. But at what cost?

Clothing and fabrics from China contain levels of formaldehyde 500 times greater than is safe.

Toys made in China contain lead and other poisons that are particularly dangerous to children.

Fertilizers from China contain high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which enter the crops--making the food poisonous.

Food imports from China contain pathologic bacteria, pesticides, and cancer-causing chemicals.

Check out this long but only partial look at the Chinese Poison Train.

China is too corrupt to have meaningful controls over its exports. It is a third world government and infrastructure that is flush with cash and other forms of wealth. Greedy government officials accept payoffs on toxic exports, shoddy construction, unsafe mining and industrial practises, and ineffectual environmental protections for China's air and water.

China is attempting to build a modern military to challenge the US, at least in Asia and the Asian side of the Pacific. But it is likely that China's military is run as shoddily as China's financial and industrial base. All of this suggests that caution is necessary when projecting China's future, or when contemplating financial or other partnerships with China.