The 10 Most Polluted Cities in the World

Since industrial revolution, our lives have become much easier due to advancement in technology. But the advancement has taken a toll on our environment. The growing industrial residual has led to the out spread of monstrous pollution all over the world.  The increasing pollution is now threatening the balance of Mother Nature. Global warming, disrupted climatic pattern, nuclear winter, drought and glacial melting are result of increased carbon dioxide emission in atmosphere.  Leaving few far flung areas, almost every metro Politian cities in the world is facing the pollution problem.  Lets us take you through the ten most polluted and dirty cites in the world.

10. Kabwe, Zambia

The city of Kabwe in Zambia is considered to be one of the most polluted cities today. During 1902, the government of Zambia found huge lead deposits near the city but did not paid any attention to the problem. Since then, the toxic metal has affected lives of millions in the city. The level of the toxic metal is found to be exceptionally higher in kids. Several children suffer from critical health problems caused due to over exposure of lead in the city. After recording increased death rate caused by the lead deposition near the city, the government has started a $40 million-project to clean up the area.

9. Sumgayit, Azerbaijan

Sumgayit is an industrial wetland inAzerbaijan that has been victim of industrial pollution caused by Soviet Union. After the partition, most of the industries are not functional anymore but the pollution caused during 1970s was still haunting the local residents. The pollutants in the air are still up to dangerous level and cause serious health and respiratory problem. Neither the government nor the international community is taking any step forward to stop the 120,000 tons of toxic emissions that continues to victimize the city.

8. Norilsk, Russia

Norilsk is known to be one of the most metal polluted cities in the world. This city is home to several heavy metal smelting companies in the world which releases 4 million tons of metal pollutants in the air. Most of the deaths recorded in the city are due to chronic respiratory illness. The high toxic level in the city near the nickel smelter has killed most of the trees and created a massive wasteland.

7. Chernobyl, Ukraine

If you still think that Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombings  was the worst ever radiation fallout in the history of mankind, then you need to know more about the city in Ukraine called Chernobyl. The nuclear radiation impact in the city was about hundred times more than any other nuclear fallout. The nuclear meltdown has made the city uninhabitable. Till now kids living near the city are born with genetic disorders and cancerous traits.

6. Dzerzhinsk, Russia

The city is Russia is known for high toxicity level in the atmosphere which has lowered the life expectancy rates. During the industrial revolution, 300,000 tons of chemical wastes were dumped in Dzerzhinsk.

5. La Oroya, Peru

The level of toxic metal lead in the atmosphere is found to be 3 times higher than normal accepted level in the city. Due to mining of heavy metal, most of the land in the city has turned barren.

4. Vapi, India

The land and water in the Indian city is highly contaminated due to industrial waste. It has been found that the ground water contains elevated levels of mercury. Over exposure to the metal hassled to the out spread of several diseases in the city.

3. Sukinda, India

The city is known for mining of chromium metal. The excessive mining has led to the accumulation of 30-million-ton pile of waste near the city. The overexposure of the pollutants has led to the outbreak of various types of cancers in the city.

2. Tianying, China

The Chinese city of Tianying is known for heavy industrialization. The poor disposal policies of the industrial waste have led to the dumping of industrial waste in the open by the industries. People living in the city often suffer from severe illness caused by the overexposure of industrial waste.

1. Linfen, China

The Chinese city of Linfen is known to be the most polluted cities in the world. The city is situated in the centre of China’s main coal belt. Due to the continuous burning of coal, the city is suffering from increasing air pollution. The amount of coal particles is so high in the air that a white cloth turns black within few minutes in open air. The quality of air in China is found to be the worst in Linfen city.

Note : From lead in the soil to toxins in the water and radioactive fallout in the air, The Blacksmith Institute has created a list of the world’s worst ecological disaster areas

Leave a Comment