The 10 Most Polluted Regions in the world - October 2007

The 10 Most Polluted Regions - October 2007

A report by the U.S.-based environmental NGO, the Blacksmith Institute, identified the 10 most polluted regions in the world. These include Vapi in India, Chelyabinsk in Russia, La Oroya in Peru, Tianjin in China, and Kabwe in Zambia. These regions are heavily contaminated with lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, sulfur dioxide, and other harmful substances, leading to severe cases of lead poisoning and lung disease.

1. **Vapi, India**
Vapi is severely affected by industrial waste mismanagement, especially the discharge of chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium from chemical plants into rivers and groundwater. This has resulted in widespread skin diseases and cancer among local residents.

2. **Chelyabinsk, Russia**
Chelyabinsk, a heavy industrial area dating back to the Soviet Union era, suffers from severe radioactive contamination due to nuclear facilities. Radioactive substances such as cesium-137 and strontium-90 have accumulated in the soil and water, affecting the health of residents for decades.

3. **La Oroya, Peru**
La Oroya, home to a metal smelter owned by the U.S. company Doe Run, is heavily polluted with lead and arsenic released into the atmosphere. Inadequate environmental measures over the years have resulted in high blood lead levels in local residents, particularly children, who suffer from neurological damage and developmental issues.

4. **Tianjin, China**
Rapid industrialization in Tianjin has caused severe air pollution, with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides being the primary pollutants. Chemical factory emissions are responsible for widespread asthma and lung diseases. Despite efforts by the Chinese government to address the issue, the dense population has made it difficult to control the pollution's far-reaching effects.

5. **Kabwe, Zambia**
Kabwe is plagued by lead contamination from mining activities. The soil and water near lead mines contain dangerously high levels of lead, and local residents, particularly children, suffer from severe neurological conditions due to the elevated lead levels in their blood.

In total, approximately 12 million people in these regions are at risk of lead poisoning, respiratory diseases, developmental issues, and more. While governments and international organizations are working to address the situation, the lack of funding, technological capacity, and delayed corporate environmental initiatives continue to exacerbate the problem.