From an editorial in the Sacramento Bee on Jan. 31:

Over the years, Apple has built a loyal following because of its ingenuity and willingness to buck norms. Its customer base tends to be highly educated, concerned about conditions in foreign countries and affluent enough to afford the latest, cool new Apple product - such as an iPad or iPhone.

Yet many of Apple's most devoted customers are angry at the moment, and rightfully so. Last week, the New York Times published a searing expose of worker conditions at Apple subcontractor plants in China, where iPads and other Apple devices are assembled.

Many Americans are oblivious about factory conditions in China, partly because that country makes it hard for workers to report abuses and for outside groups to monitor them. But the Times was able to document an appalling pattern of worker mistreatment by Apple subcontractors at several factories, including ones owned by Foxconn Technology, one of Apple's biggest partners worldwide.

The list of abuses includes workers exposed to poisonous chemicals; workers forced to work excessive overtime seven days a week; workers stuffed into overcrowded dorms and laboring at risk of deadly explosions. Within seven months last year, the Times reports, four people were killed and 77 injured in two explosions, including one at a site where employees polish thousands of iPad cases each day.

As the Times noted, others have documented grim working conditions at factories affiliated with Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Sony and other tech firms.

Apple is known for achieving the unimaginable and holding itself to higher standards. Any company that can create something as innovative as the iPad should be able to ensure its supply chain protects human dignity.

There ought to be an app for that.