FAQ

What is the 2010 World’s Worst Pollution Problems: Top Six Toxic Threats report?

The 2010 report describes the scope and effects of the six toxic pollutants that have the greatest impact on human health.  The report is the fifth in a series of pollution reports published by Blacksmith Institute in partnership with Green Cross Switzerland.  In 2006 and 2007, the organizations released reports highlighting the world’s worst polluted places.  A report from 2008 described the top ten worst pollution problems, and in 2009, the organizations released a report highlighting case studies of successful cleanup projects.  The 2010 report revisits the subject of pollution problems, but draws upon the substantial volume of research the organizations have conducted on polluted sites over the last two years to identify the six toxic pollutants that are causing the most harm to human health.  

What is the purpose of the 2010 report?

The purpose of this year's report is to increase public awareness of the impacts of toxic pollution and build support in the international community for a global commitment to mitigate the health impacts of toxic pollution in low- and middle-income countries.

What does the 2010 report show?

The 2010 report shows:

• The estimated number of people impacted by lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, pesticides, and radionuclides.
• The scope of toxic pollution and the health impacts of individual pollutants.
• The means and methods used by Blacksmith Institute to identify and assess polluted sites.
• Examples of successful remediation projects that can be scaled up to provide cost-effective solutions on a global scale.

How were the Top Six Toxic Threats chosen?

The six pollutants profiled in this report were selected on the basis of the number of people that Blacksmith Institute estimates are at risk from sites impacted by these contaminants. The population estimates are based on the research conducted by field investigators as part of Blacksmith Institute’s ongoing effort to identify and evaluate polluted sites in low- and middle-income countries.

What is Blacksmith Institute?

Blacksmith Institute (www.blacksmithinstitute.org) is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to solving life-threatening pollution issues in the developing world. A global leader in this field, Blacksmith addresses a critical need to identify and clean up the world’s worst polluted places. Blacksmith focuses on places where human health, especially that of women and children, is most at risk. Based in New York, Blacksmith works cooperatively in partnerships that include governments, the international community, NGOs and local agencies to design and implement innovative, low-cost solutions to save lives. Since 1999, Blacksmith has completed over 50 projects; Blacksmith is currently engaged in over 40 projects in 19 countries.

Since 2006, Blacksmith Institute’s yearly reports have been instrumental in increasing public understanding of the health impacts posed by the world’s worst polluted places, and in some cases, have compelled cleanup work at these sites. Previous reports have identified the top ten world’s worst polluted places or pollution problems.

What is Green Cross Switzerland?

Green Cross Switzerland facilitates overcoming consequential damages caused by industrial and military disasters and the clean-up of contaminated sites from the period of the Cold War. Central issues are the improvement of the living quality of people affected by chemical, radioactive and other types of contamination, as well as the promotion of a sustainable development in the spirit of co-operation instead of confrontation. This includes the involvement of all stakeholder groups affected by a problem.