[EQ] The World's Worst Toxic Pollution Problems 2011 Report

The World’s Worst Toxic Pollution Problems 2011 Report

Blacksmith Institute in partnership with Green Cross Switzerland

Available online PDF [76p.] at: http://bit.ly/vqw39O

The 2011 “top ten” and “toxic twenty” list is limited by several factors. First, and most importantly, the pollutants discussed within this report are those identified and deemed most relevant and urgent in terms of their toxicity and impacts by the Blacksmith Institute Technical Advisory Board. These pollutants include, but are not limited to, heavy metals, radionuclides, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fluorides, asbestos, cyanides, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and some pesticides.

 

The Technical Advisory Board evaluates pollutants that are not included in the list above on a case-by-case basis. The Board reviews the available environmental health literature on the biological effects of a given pollutant and comes to a consensus.

 

Blacksmith and Green Cross Switzerland are aware that this classification excludes many widespread pollution problems caused by mining, industrial and agricultural activities. For example, the scope of this analysis excludes bacterial contamination of water; discharge of non-toxic particulates to the atmosphere or receiving waters and resulting respiratory or water quality impacts; emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; SO2, NOx, and acid discharges to the atmosphere or receiving waters; biological or chemical oxygen demand; and indoor air pollution, particularly on occupational health. The analysis also excludes oil contamination related to drilling and petroleum product transport, storage …….”

 

Content:

Introduction

Pollution and Global Health

Sources of Toxic Pollution

Quantifying the Global Burden Posed by Disease, Disability, and Death Associated with Toxic Pollution Exposure

The Top Ten Worst Toxic Pollution Problems

Artisanal Gold Mining — Mercury Pollution

Industrial Estates — Lead Pollution

Agricultural Production — Pesticide Pollution (considering only local impact)

Lead Smelting — Lead Pollution

Tannery Operations — Chromium Pollution

Mining and Ore Processing — Mercury Pollution

Mining and Ore Processing — Lead Pollution

Lead-Acid Battery Recycling — Lead Pollution

Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Ground Water — Arsenic Pollution

Pesticide Manufacturing and Storage — Pesticide Pollution

The Rest of the Toxic Twenty

Chemical Manufacturing — Chromium Pollution

Chemical Manufacturing — Mercury Pollution

Dye Industry — Chromium Pollution

Industrial Estates — Chromium Pollution

Industrial and Municipal Dump Sites — Lead Pollution

Mining and Ore Processing — Arsenic Pollution

Mining and Ore Processing — Cadmium Pollution

Mining and Ore Processing — Cyanide Pollution

Product Manufacturing — Lead Pollution

(especially from plating, electronics manufacture and battery manufacture)

Uranium Mining and Ore Processing — Radionuclide Pollution

A Note on Oil Production

Conclusion

Appendix

Blacksmith Institute and Green Cross Switzerland’s Efforts to Identify and Address Pollution Problems

Introduction

How Sites Are Assessed

The Importance of Assessing Pollution Problems

The Scope of Blacksmith’s Work

The Blacksmith Index

Conclusion

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[EQ] Launch of the European Portal for Action on Health Inequalities

Launch of the European Portal for Action on Health Inequalities

EuroHealth Net, 2011

 

Good Practice Database available online  http://bit.ly/u19qI2

 

The new website is an exhaustive source of information on health inequalities at EU, national and regional level, on social determinants of health and on Health in All Policies.

 

It aims to provide visitors with practical and useful information and to give them opportunities to promote their own work.

It provides visitors over 300 examples of policies and good practices implemented at EU, national and regional level. Additionally it gives access to a wide range of useful health inequality tools and resources.

 

The European Portal for Action on Health Inequalities was developed by EuroHealthNet on behalf of the Equity Action Programme. This is the EU funded Joint Action on Health Inequalities, which aims to develop knowledge for action on health inequalities, to support the engagement of Member States, regions and other stakeholders and to share learning and action at a European policy level.

Adoption by the European Parliament of the report on the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion

November 16, 2011
EuroHealthNet hopes that the platform will prove a key move towards concrete action against poverty and social exclusion across a broad range of policies.

 

 

The health of EU citizens is determined by the conditions in which they are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances, which are shaped by policy choices, are mostly responsible for health inequalities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health status between and within countries. Health inequalities persist across the EU, within and between Member States, and there is evidence that they are widening.  They result in:

 

1. Life expectancy gaps: Between EU Member States there is a 5-fold difference in deaths of babies under one year of age, a 14 year gap in life expectancy at birth for men and an 8 year gap for women;

2. Significant economic costs: Health inequalities related losses have a significant impact on productivity. They have been estimated to cost around €141 billion annually;

3. Increased poverty and social exclusion: Health, poverty and social exclusion are strongly interrelated: ill health can lead to social exclusion while the conditions of poverty and social exclusion often lead to ill health. These are often cyclical and, in many cases, are passed on across generations. Over 80 million people currently live in poverty in the EU.

 

 

The EU Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion will aim to improve access to work, social security, education and essential services such as healthcare. EuroHealthNet strongly supports these priorities which will not only contribute to the EU 2020 objectives but also enhance individual well-being.

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This message from the Pan American Health Organization, PAHO/WHO, is part of an effort to disseminate
information Related to: Equity; Health inequality; Socioeconomic inequality in health; Socioeconomic
health differentials; Gender; Violence; Poverty; Health Economics; Health Legislation; Ethnicity; Ethics;
Information Technology - Virtual libraries; Research & Science issues.  [DD/ KMC Area]
Washington DC USA

"Materials provided in this electronic list are provided "as is". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the findings
and interpretations included in the Materials are those of the authors and not necessarily of The Pan American
Health Organization PAHO/WHO or its country members".
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IMPORTANT: This transmission is for use by the intended
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Thank you.