Cancer on the Third Front | Tencent
Zhou Qiang—Tencent “Living” Channel
In 1965, more than 2,000 people from across China came to the town of Wensheng, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, to work at a nickel powder factory. They were part of the Third Front Movement, which called for workers to relocate to remote areas to build industries related to national defense. Since the factory went bankrupt and closed in 2003, 244 workers have been diagnosed with lung, liver, and nasal cancer: According to the National Cancer Institute, “exposure to various nickel compounds is associated with increased risks of lung cancer and nasal cancer.” Many of those workers heeded the call in 1965 to move to Wensheng and serve their country, but today struggle with affording cancer treatments on their meager pensions of roughly U.S.$300-450 per month.
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In 1965, more than 2,000 people from across China came to the town of Wensheng, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, to work at a nickel powder factory. They were part of the Third Front Movement, which called for workers to relocate to remote areas to build industries related to national defense. Since the factory went bankrupt and closed in 2003, 244 workers have been diagnosed with lung, liver, and nasal cancer: According to the National Cancer Institute, “exposure to various nickel compounds is associated with increased risks of lung cancer and nasal cancer.” Many of those workers heeded the call in 1965 to move to Wensheng and serve their country, but today struggle with affording cancer treatments on their meager pensions of roughly U.S.$300-450 per month.