Apple iPad 2 Factory Explosion Caused By Aluminum Dust Again

The recent explosion of Apple's iPad 2 factory operated by Pegatron in Shanghai, China is now being linked to a build up of fine aluminum dust. This is the same culprit in the Foxconn factory explosion earlier this year, where aluminum dust particles in the iPad 2 polishing workshop combusted.

The last Foxconn explosion killed 3 workers and injured 15. This time's explosion did not cause a fire but it injured 61 workers with 23 having to be hospitalized for observation. The China Labor Watch, an independent not-for-profit organization that works with unions and labor groups to assess factories in China, released a statement about the blast.

"The blast in Riteng is a result of aluminum dust in the workshop where iPad cases are polished," said CLW in its statement. "A similar blast happened in the same workshop of a Foxconn's factory in Chengdu, killing 3 workers and hurting another 15."

CLW also emphasized that "there is a sharp contrast between the strong performance of Apple and the poor condition of the worker working on its assembly line in China." Apple is said to be working closely with Pegatron to understand the cause of the accident.

[via 9to5 Mac]