• This assignment will focus on the condition of the top 10 dirtiest cities. These are ranked based on levels of air pollution,waste management, water potability, hospital services, medical supplies and the presence of infectious disease. All cities in the study were compared against a base city with an index of 100, that city is New York. For these Health and Sanitation Rankings, the scores range from worst (lowest score) to best overall (highest sore). The Highest score of 131.7 was given to Calgary, Canada. • Groups of two or three students, will choose one of the cities and research and describe three major pollution problems they face. Then teach the rest of the class your ideas for resolution or improvement of those problems. By becoming “Experts” in how one of the worlds ten dirtiest cities functions, you can work together to help solve similar problems between cities and learn what factors could play a role in your city becoming polluted and what you can do to help prevent it from happening.
Transcript
• This assignment will focus on the condition of the top 10 dirtiest cities. These are ranked based on levels of air pollution,waste management, water potability, hospital services, medical supplies and the presence of infectious disease. All cities in the study were compared against a base city with an index of 100, that city is New York. For these Health and Sanitation Rankings, the scores range from worst (lowest score) to best overall (highest sore). The Highest score of 131.7 was given to Calgary, Canada.
• Groups of two or three students, will choose one of the cities and research and describe three major pollution problems they face. Then teach the rest of the class your ideas for resolution or improvement of those problems. By becoming “Experts” in how one of the worlds ten dirtiest cities functions, you can work together to help solve similar problems between cities and learn what factors could play a role in your city becoming polluted and what you can do to help prevent it from happening.
World’s TenDirtiest Cities:
No. 10: Brazzaville, Congo
Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 39.1
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. 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. 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. 7: Mumbai, India
Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 38.2
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. 6: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mercer Health and Sanitation Index Score: 37.9
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Sources:United Health Foundation. (2008). Americas Health Rankings 2008
