NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Diseases like Ebola, HIV and Malaria capture headlines while pollution steadily kills nearly 9 million people every year and cripples the health of 200 million more. Children suffer the worst impacts. Extreme pollution also chokes development and drains billions from fragile economies. But this is one global problem we know how to solve.
The new report, Top Ten Countries Turning the Corner on Toxic Pollution- 2014, reveals 10 successful cleanup projects that are saving lives, improving community health and restoring the environment. From Vietnam to Kyrgyzstan to Senegal, the success of these projects was the result of unique partnerships and creative solutions like replacing deadly backyard lead battery recycling with hydroponic gardens.
Air, water and soil pollution are the hidden global health crisis that’s spreading, fueled by industrialization and rapid globalization. Equally unrecognized is the tremendous economic impact: billions of dollars are lost to soaring health costs and lost productivity. Air pollution alone cost China a staggering $924 billion in 2013.
The Top Ten Country Success Stories 2014 (Unranked)
- Ghana, Agbogbloshie – Dangerous burning of electronic waste replaced by mechanized recycling
- Senegal, Thiaroye Sur Mer – Replacing deadly lead battery recycling with hydroponic gardens
- Peru – New soil pollution laws and remediation timelines
- Uruguay, Montevideo – Reclaiming neighborhoods by cleaning up electronic waste toxic hot spots
- Mexico, Mexico City - Contaminated oil refinery turned into urban park with a million visitors a year
- Indonesia, Cinangka – Soccer field used as an old lead-battery dump now safe for children
- Philippines, Marilao, Meycauayan and Obando River System - Cleaning up with zeolite and probiotic filtering systems
- Vietnam, Dong Mai – $20 per person ends dangerous lead poisoning of an entire village
- Former Soviet Union – Hunting down thousands of tons of old but still toxic pesticides
- Kyrgyzstan, Mailuu-Suu – Filters improve safety of water contaminated by radionuclides, while children take on an education campaign
- Honorable Mentions – China, India and Madagascar
Download report, photos, fact sheet, infographics: www.worstpolluted.org.
