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Apple To Allow Environmental Audit Of 2 Chinese Plants

SAN JOSE (KCBS)— Apple has agreed to allow independent environmental audits of two of its Chinese factories after recent reports of toxic leaks into rivers and lakes.

The audits will focus on whether suppliers are discharging toxic waste into the water and soil and will be separate from a probe of working conditions, requested by Apple last week.

KCBS Technology Analyst Larry Magid said the company is facing increasing pressure to make sure that iPads and iPhones are being made without harming workers or the environment.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

"Now they are beginning to respond. I think it's a good thing for the environmental movement, and ultimately a very good thing for Apple to be seen as a leader," Magid said.

The independent audits will begin next month.

Last weekend Foxconn Technology, one of Apple's largest Chinese suppliers, announced it would be raising workers' salaries by 25 percent, but will cut overtime.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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