The human toll of pollution in terms of lost productivity, healthcare cost, lowered life expectancy and social effect is high. Ericson said countries needed to wise up to this and realise there were inexpensive ways to avoid toxic pollution.
Stephan Robinson of Green Cross Switzerland identifies globalisation, and especially mining and resource extraction, as the reason for many toxic sites. The high price of gold has led to increases in both small- and large-scale mining, whereas lead production rose by 10% last year to meet the needs of battery and electronics manufacturers.
"Much of this industrial activity is to serve our needs in the developed world," said Robinson, who added that toxic sites had received little attention internationally despite their significant effect on the health of millions of people.
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