Report Finds Residents Of The Worlds 10 Most Polluted Cities Living Under A Death Sentence

 

A new report published by the Balcksmith Institute has found that the 10 million people, living in the world's 10 most polluted cities, have shortened life expectancies.  The report shows that residents of highly polluted cities are at high risk for developing lung infections and cancer.

 

"Living in a town with serious pollution is like living under a death sentence", the report said.  "If the damage does not come from immediate poisoning, then cancers, lung infections and mental retardation are likely outcomes".  The report also found that the 10 cities, which are mostly located in the developing world, have few or inadequate pollution controls and the citizens are powerless to pressure their governments to deal with the problems.  

 

Luckily for us in Canada we have the power to make our local and federal government officials reduce pollution to make sure our cities never make this list and our future generations never have to deal with the poor health problems associated with pollution.  Equally important we can share our pollution reducing technologies and strategies with theses countries because at the end of the day we are all sharing the same eco-system.

 

The worlds 10 most polluted cities:

 

Dzherzhinsk, Russia

Norislk, Russia

Rudnaya Pristan, Russia

Linfen, China

Haina, Dominican Republic

Ranipet, India

Mayluu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan

La Oroya, Peru

Chernobyl, Ukraine

Kabwe, Zambia

 

(All cited quotes & figures are from The Vancouver Sun, Oct 19)