In a report by the ABC, quoting data contained in a recent report released by the Blacksmith Institute, it said there are currently more than one million around the world who are subjected to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals, which include industrial chemicals, pesticides, radionuclides, and heavy metals, that come from mining activities as well as industry, agriculture and weapons manufacture.
"The scope of (global) health impact is comparable toAIDS/HIV, or malaria, and that should call us into action to deal with this problem," Richard Fuller, Blacksmith Institute president, said.
Others included in the top ten list of the world's polluted places were central Kalimantan province, Indonesia due to mercury poisoning; Sumgayit, Azerbaijan due to organic chemicals; Chernobyl, Ukraine due to radiation exposure; and, the Arctic Canada due to persistent organic pollutants.
There are many badly polluted sites around the world, according to Mr Fuller. In fact, more than 2,500 sites in the developing world have been flagged with the most toxic threats
"It's difficult for experts to select the absolute worst offenders," he said.
"All of the sites that I have visited are tragic, horrible, shocking places that make your stomach turn," Mr Fuller said. "Often physical deformity is evident. These are not places I will bring my kids."
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