From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Cheap imports from China, who pays the real cost.

Hello again, I'm Arminolny, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

China wants to improve its 21st century standing by sending men to the moon, but Chinese workers

are living and dying in 19th century conditions. That's according to journalistic investigations

and testimony to Congress, which is looking at a proposal to ban imports from overseas

sweatshops. On to the point, we'll hear about workers exposed to a witch's brew of cancer-causing chemicals

84 hours a week for 53 cents an hour.

U.S. consumers are already worried about product safety.

Will they pay more for the safety of human beings 5,000 miles away?

On Reporter's Notebook later on, The Environment and Human Surv 5,000 miles away. On reporter's notebook later on,

The Environment and Human Survival, First the News.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica

and from the Public Radio International Program Fund,

whose contributors include the Ford Foundation

and the John D. and Catherine T. McArthur Foundation.

Hello again. I'm on only back with To the Point. Recalls of toys and other products have

American consumers worried about imports from China. What about the workers who make them?

On To the Poet, we'll hear how constant exposure to toxic chemicals wreaks havoc with health and safety.

Who's paying the real cost of cheap

merchandise? Would congressional action do any good? On reporter's notebook, the UN's latest

...