中國5個非政府組織指責這家美國科技公司使用有公開環境違規記錄的供應商，并且利用發展中國家在環境管理制度上的漏洞。

Five Chinese environmental NGOs have issued a report blasting Apple and its suppliers for profiting at the cost of the local environment. The report which records every detail of the seven-month investigation has unveiled another side of the Apple company.

Apple products are popular for their supreme functionality and creative design. But while fans snap up these i-products, people in China are paying for the production procedure with their health.

The report says toxic discharges from suspected Apple suppliers have been encroaching on local communities. It alleges that 27 Apple suppliers have severe pollution problems, from toxic gases to heavy metal sludge. The report claims a village nearby a supplier's factory experienced a phenomenal rise in cases of cancer.

It also blames Apple for taking advantage of loopholes in developing countries' environmental management systems to grab super profits. It criticized the company for refusing to make the identities of its suppliers public and fulfilling its responsibility to disclose information about the environmental effects of its suppliers' actions.

Facing the charges, the technology giant proposed on Wednesday to hold a conference call with the NGOs to discuss their recent findings about its suppliers. They also said the company is committed to "maintaining the highest standards for social responsibility throughout its supply chain".

But the report found a different story. And lawyers in China say even if the affected residents successfully sue Apple, the company does not necessarily have to pay compensation for any misdeeds committed by its suppliers.

That's why the NGOs suggest buyers of the devices make "green" choices that help Apple establish a supply chain that does not harm the environment.

詞匯學習：
1. NGO ：non-government organization的縮寫，是指在特定法律系統下，不被視為政府部門的協會、社團、基金會、慈善信托、非營利公司或其他法人，不以營利為目的的非政府組織。
2. at the cost of：以……為代價
3. snap up：搶購或迅速抓取某物
例句：The cheapest articles at the sale were quickly snapped up. 大減價貨物中最便宜的物品很快搶購一空。
4. take advantage of：利用
5. loophole n. 漏洞，空子
例句：A good lawyer can always find a loophole. 精明的律師專會找到漏洞。