CRI听力:Breast Augmentation Crisis

In early 2010, PIP was ordered out of the market, but its products continued to be sold around the world.

Brashares is women's interest group. One member says hundreds of thousands of women may be affected.

"PIP has been the world's third-largest producer of silicone implants manufacturers. More than 80 percent of their products were exported to other countries, therefore, we estimate that there may be up to 400000 potential victims in the world."

According to a report, PIP's 2010 bankruptcy filing shows that it had exported 84 percent of its annual production of 100,000 implants. Between 2007 and 2009, 50 to 58 percent of its exports went to South American countries including Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina.

In the same period, 27 to 28 percent of exports went to western European nations including Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany.

According to some reports, PIP implants entered Chinese market in 2009, and many plastic surgery hospitals have been using them. Here is doctor Chen Huanran, a plastic surgery expert:

"The PIP product, named "Bao Libei" in Chinese, has been used for years in China. Although the implants officially entered China in 2009, actually many years ago they started to be used in plastic surgery in the country."

Doctor Ding Xiaobang, an expert in plastic surgery says it's understandable that each woman wants looked more beautiful, however, they should think carefully before deciding to enlarge their breasts.

"There is no proven effective breast enlargement technique. However, you can see lots of advertisements promoting this such as medicines, oils or massage. But I suggest you do not trust these because they only want to increase sales."

Global police agency Interpol is currently seeking the arrest of Frenchman Jean-Claude Mas, the founder of PIP.

For CRI, I am Zhang Wan.