Slashdot Mirror
Cleaning up the Most Toxic Pollution in the World
Hugh Pickens writes "Blacksmith Institute has published their list of the most polluted sites in the world compiled by comparing the toxicity of the contamination, the likelihood of it getting into humans and the number of people affected. For example, ninety-nine percent of the children living in and around the poly-metallic smelter at La Oroya in Peru, owned by the Missouri-based Doe Run Corporation, have blood lead levels that exceed acceptable limits. Scientific American says that despite the massive pollution, it would be relatively cheap and easy to clean up the most dangerous hazards. For $15,000, the radioactive contaminated soil from the Mayak plutonium facility on the shore of the Techa River in the Russian town of Muslyomova could be dug up, saving an estimated 350 lives. 'For about $200, the cost of a refrigerator, we are able to save someone's life,' says Richard Fuller, founder of Blacksmith."
Since the time you're referring to, Russia is supposed to have made a swing back to a hydrocarbon-rich power with a booming economy.
I wonder how much does a Tu-95 long-range patrol cost?
My exception safety is -fno-exceptions.
(Going conservative here)
6,500,000,000
versus 350
Not even one percent.
Get to two digits and call me back.
I may sound cold. I won't even pretend to claim to be uncomfortable with it.
On a planet that is not getting any less full of this species, I simply cannot be bothered to pay attention to numbers so small.
"We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all." - Douglas Adams
I don't see Rush Limbaugh on the list! He should be #1 on the cleanup list!
Rush Limbaugh...toxic byproduct of the First Amendment.