Around the U.S., only the Portland, Ore. area (22.4%) and Seattle (15.5%) come close to that exposure.

FORBES: Paradigm shift

But the court said there was a close link between employment and the exposure that led to the illness, and that upholding the appeals court ruling could mean a potential gap in insurance coverage for workers, especially those no longer employed by the same firm.

CNN: UK court ruling opens door to more asbestos claims

The report does not rule out other possible contributors to Gulf War illness -- including low-level exposure to nerve agents and close proximity to oil well fires -- though it fails to establish any clear link.

CNN: Gulf War illness is real, new federal report says

People living close to the pyres are advised to avoid sustained exposure, it added.

BBC: Three await foot-and-mouth results

Because of its exposure to customers serving both the retail and corporate markets, Flextronics has an up-close view of the market for technology products.

FORBES: Magazine Article