CH-Zurich – 10 November 2011 - Green Cross Switzerland and the US-based Blacksmith Institute are presenting a top ten list of the world's worst pollution problems. Using data collected over the past three years from more than 2,000 toxic hotspots, the Environmental Report 2011 identifies the top ten sources of pollution and calculates their health impacts.

"Toxic exposure associated with mining and industrial processes all over the world is a major health risk for the affected population," says David Hanrahan, Head of Global Program at the Blacksmith Institute. "Despite the fact that at least as many people suffer from pollution-related illnesses as from malaria or tuberculosis, the international community does not support aid initiatives in most countries," emphasizes Nathalie Gysi, Executive Director, Green Cross Switzerland.

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Environmental Reports

Using data collected by the Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland over the past three years from more than 2,000 toxic hotspots, the 2011 Environmental Report identifies the top ten sources of pollution and, for the first time, quantifies their health impacts. The 2011 Environmental Report is based on the estimated number of people affected by the pollutants and the number of sites identified globally where pollutants exist in concentrations above health standards. The report also focuses on sites with a clear, fixed source of toxic pollution that can be targeted for remediation efforts.

In 2006 and 2007, the organizations released reports highlighting the world’s worst polluted places. The 2008 and 2010 reports described the top ten worst pollution problems, and a report released in 2009 provided case studies of successful cleanup projects.

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