10
NORILSK, RUSSIA
Every year 2 million tons of sulful dioxide are released into the atmosphere. This air pollution means trees do not grow within 30km of the city.
9
CITARUM RIVER, INDONESIA
Due to industry, lead levels are over 1,000x higher than
U.S. standards. $3.5 billion is being
spent on cleaning the river, which is used for drinking and irrigation.
8
NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA
Some 240,000 barrels of oil are spilled here every year. It
could impact crops & cause a 24% increase in child malnutrition.
7
HAZARIBAGH, BANGLADESH
Tanneries dump 22,000 cubic liters of toxic waste each day,
including cancer-causing toxins. The 185,000 locals face the risk of acid burns
and skin disease.
6
KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA
Over 1,000 metric tons of mercury enter the environment each
year due to gold mining. This brain accumulates in water and fish.
5
MATANZA-RIACHUELO, ARGENTINA
15,000 small industries contaminate water with metal waste.
60% of 20,000 residents live in areas unsuitable for habitation, causing
illnesses like cancer.
4
AGBOGBLOSHIE, GHANA
Locals burn e- waste like cell phones and laptops to get
valuable metals within. Workers have blood levels of heavy metals 17x higher
than global standards.
Sources: Blacksmith Institue, TIME, MNN, Scientific American
3
CHERNOBYL, UKRAINE
A nuclear meltdown in 1986 released 100x the radioactivity
of the atomic bombs dropped in WW2. 150,000 sq km has been contaminated with
radioactivity isotopes.
2
KABWE, ZAMBIA
Unregulated lead mining has caused health problems for
300,000. Lead blood concentration are 60% higher than the level normally
considered fatal.
1
DZERSHINSK, RUSSIA
Average life expectancy is 44.5 years for the 245,000
locals. 300,000 tons of chemical waste were improperly buried here between 1930
and 1998.