The World’s Worst Toxic Pollution Problems 2011 Report. Blacksmith Institute in partnership with Green Cross Switzerland. 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.  See ful PDF
See also previous related news: Green Cross Switzerland said that most of the pollution takes place in micro mines in the world

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 …….”