The World's 25 Dirtiest Cities

[Naseeb]

The World's 25 Dirtiest Cities



No. 1: Baku, Azerbaijan

Health and Sanitation Index Score: 27.6

Surrounded
by Iran, Georgia, Russia and Armenia on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan has
long been an oil hub. As a consequence, Baku, the capital, suffers from
life-threatening levels of air pollution emitted from oil drilling and
shipping.

No. 2: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 29.6

Located
in southern Asia, between Burma and India, Dhaka, the capital of
Bangladesh battles with the constant threat of water pollution. Surface
water is often thick with disease and pollutants from the use of
commercial pesticides. With an estimated 150 million people living in a
relatively small area, cleaning up the problem won't be easy.

No. 3: Antananarivo, Madagascar

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 30.1

Madagascar,
located off of the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean,
makes this year's list with its capital city, Antananarivo. Well known
for its variety of unique flora and fauna, Madagascar has often been
referred to as the world's eighth continent, but the effects of the
human population are quickly leaving their footprint.

No. 4: Port au Prince, Haiti

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 34

The
country's politically inspired violence and corruption are well
documented. Equally dangerous: its air and water. Serving as one of the
main ports on the island of Hispaniola, Port au Prince is central to
Haiti's economic development. A lack of pollution controls, however,
contributes to the widespread environmental problems confronting the
Haitian city.

No. 5: Mexico City, Mexico

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 37.7

Mexico
City, the capital of Mexico, and the capital of North American air
pollution, estimates unhealthy ozone emissions nearly 85% of the year.
Mexico's geographical location--in the center of a volcanic crater and
surrounded by mountains--only serves to lock in the air pollution,
causing smog to sit above the city.

No. 6: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 37.

Addis
Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, faces one of the worst sanitation
problems on both the continent of Africa as well as in the world. The
lack of adequate sanitation programs results in infant mortality, low
life expectancy and the transmission of water-borne diseases

No. 7: Mumbai, India

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 38.

India's
government hopes to transform Mumbai back into a burgeoning metropolis
after recent economic decline. A recent private-sector report, Vision
Mumbai, proposed changes in infrastructure, pollution control and
economic growth strategy, which contributed to the seeking of
approximately $1 billion of aid from Indian government.

No. 8: Baghdad, Iraq

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 39
Poor
water quality in Baghdad threatens to exacerbate the the transmission
of water-borne diseases in the city. Fatal outbreaks of cholera struck
several provinces of the country, including Baghdad from August 2007 to
December 2007. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also
says air pollution, resulting from burning oil and aggravated by war,
is cause for concern.

No. 9: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 39.1

The
marriage of petroleum-based industry and insufficient safeguards
against pollution sets the stage for an environmental crisis in this
city. Toxic waste dumps require a huge price tag for improvement and an
even larger price for neglect.

No. 10: Brazzaville, Congo

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 39.

Air
pollution from emissions, lack of potable water and the contamination
of the city's water from raw sewage contribute to the laundry list of
health and sanitation concerns for Brazzaville, the capital of Congo.
Each of these press upon the life expectancy of the local population.

No. 11: Ndjamena, Chad

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 39.

Ndjamena,
the capital city of Chad, faces multi-faceted water management
challenges. A main site for concern here is the Conventional Basin of
Lake Chad, upon which the country's main fisheries greatly depend. Also
noteworthy--the continual influx of population growth, accelerated by
the migration of neighboring Sudanese refugees from Darfur, which
places an unexpected strain on water management.

No. 12: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 40.

The
capital of this east African country continues to grow populationwise,
putting a stress on the city's sanitation programs. Solid waste,
entering the Msimbazi River, contributes to widely spread infectious
diseases among the population

No. 13: Bangui, Central African Republic

Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 42.

Bangui,
the capital of Central African Republic, faces water and sanitation
challenges similar to its neighboring countries' capitals. A rapidly
increasing population, coupled with a lack of adequate waste and water
management, places stresses on the capital city.

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