An investigation has revealed how factory workers in China risk contracting a potentially fatal disease to produce jeans for fashion labels Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters . Employees at a factory where the two companies source their products were filmed using a method known as sandblasting - which gives the material a fashionable faded look . The practice is known to be dangerous and has been banned in some countries after being linked to deaths from respiratory disease silicosis . Dangerous method : Secret footage taken during an undercover investigation shows workers in Chinese factory which supplies Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters continue to use sandblasting . The short programme , titled 'Denim Blues ' and due to be aired on Al Jazeera on March 19 , also exposed poor working conditions and environmental damage resulting from the industry in the Chinese city of Xintang , known as the jeans capital of the world . The video , shot by an undercover researcher , captured employees working at a frantic pace in a factory known as Dongguan Tiangxiang . Chemicals lie haphazardly around the room and workers use a potent chemical called potassium permanganate without wearing proper protective masks . The secret footage also shows sandblasting going on in the factory and the labels of American Eagle Outfitters ( AEO ) , Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister , owned by A & F , are clearly visible . Secret footage : In the short film , an undercover researcher discovers an Abercrombie & Fitch label at a factory where jeans are being sandblasted . Part of initiative : American Eagle Outfitters ( AEO ) jeans are also seen in the footage . The company joined an initiative in 2011 to help boycott the practice . In 2011 , AEO joined an initiative spearheaded by Levi and H & M to boycott the controversial production method known as sandblasting . In a company statement , the popular brand said : 'Until we believe that proper controls can be put in place to ensure sandblasting is done safely , we are no longer developing new styles with sandblasting . ' Jeans with a distressed , already-worn appearance have been popular since the 1990s and method to create the effect is by blasting them with sand . Manual sandblasting of jeans requires only a hose , an air compressor and sand - workers literally blast the material with sand to give them a faded look and to soften the denim . Constant exposure to minute particles used in the process can lead to accidental inhalation , and later respiratory disease silicosis . Silicosis is caused when small particles of silica dust from the sand embed themselves within the lungs . The incurable disease causes shortness of breath , coughing , weakness and weight loss and in its acute form is fatal . When asked by investigators about their supplier 's continued use of the practice , they claimed the sandblasting facilities had been removed but did not say when . A spokesman said : 'AEO has thoroughly investigated the factory Dongguan Tim Cheung ( here referred to as Dongguan Tianxiang ) and has verified that all sandblasting equipment has been removed from the factory . ' Abercrombie & Fitch also appeared to dispute the evidence , claiming : 'Yes Dongguan Tiangxiang produces goods for us . We do n't allow vendors to use sandblasting during the manufacturing process of our goods . ' On their website the world-famous brand says : ' [ We are ] proud of our commitment to international human and labor rights , and to ensuring that our products are only made in safe and responsible facilities . 'We partner with suppliers who respect local laws and share our dedication to utilizing the best practices in human rights , labor rights and workplace safety . 'Abercrombie & Fitch believes that business should only be conducted with honesty and respect for the dignity and rights of all people . Health risk : A bucket of chemicals lies exposed in the Dongguan Tianxiang factory , where AEO and Abercrombie & Fitch source their jeans . Dirty environment : The footage shows how working conditions in the factory are a long way from what Abercrombie & Fitch customers might imagine . Employees at a factory where Abercrombie & Fitch and AEO source their products were filmed using a method known as sandblasting - which gives the material a fashionable faded look . Sandblasting is dangerous as constant exposure to minute particles in the process can lead to silicosis . In 2009 , Turkey banned the process after hundreds of former workers were diagnosed with the disease . Dozens of others have died . The method is still legal in China and some workers run mobile sandblasting services travelling between factories - and they are paid around 4p for each pair of jeans . Factory managers refused to discuss the process , but workers speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed the controversial practice continues . One worker told Al Jazeera : 'The main problem with sandblasting is the dust . This means you risk getting silicosis if you are not properly protected . ' Some workers say they suffer not only from lung problems but also from allergies caused by dyes and other chemicals used in the making of denim . Al Jazeera will be airing the show on Thursday March 19 . Sandblasting is dangerous as constant exposure to minute particles in the process can lead to silicosis ( The picture above was taken in a different factory not associated with Abercrombie & Fitch or AEO ) In 2009 , Turkey banned the process after hundreds of former workers contracted the disease ( The picture above was taken in a different factory not associated with Abercrombie & Fitch or AEO )
Sandblasting has long been used to give jeans the fashionable faded look . But practice was banned in some countries after being linked to silicosis . In March 19 , American Eagle Outfitters joined initiative to boycott the technique . Abercrombie & Fitch boast of using 'best practices in workplace safety ' Undercover investigation revealed both companies were still recently sourcing jeans from factory where sandblasting took place .