The Blacksmith Institute in collaboration with Green Cross Switzerland issued a Top Ten list of the world's most dangerous pollution problems.

The report names pollution as one of the leading contributing factors to death and disability in the world and highlights the disproportionate effects on the health of children.

The Top Ten are:

· Artisanal Gold Mining

· Contaminated Surface Water

· Groundwater Contamination

· Indoor Air Pollution

· Industrial Mining Activities

· Metals Smelters and Processing

· Radioactive Waste and Uranium Mines

· Untreated Sewage

· Urban Air Quality

· Used Lead Acid Battery Recycling

The problems included in the report have a significant impact on human health worldwide and result in death, persistent illness, and neurological impairment for millions of people, particularly children.

According to the report, many of these deaths and related illnesses could be avoided with affordable and effective interventions.

"Our goal with the 2008 report is to increase awareness of the severe toll that pollution takes on human health and inspire the international community to act," said Richard Fuller, founder of Blacksmith Institute.

"Remediation is both possible and cost-effective."

Source: http://www.worstpolluted.org/
Full Report: http://www.worstpolluted.org/reports/file/Pollution%20Problems%202008.pdf