Say the word “ebola” and people freak out, even though more people have been married to TV talk show host Larry King than have died of ebola in the US. But what most of us don’t realize is that pollution around the world kills almost 9 million people every year and has significant impact on the health of 200 million more, including brain damage from exposure to lead, mercury, and pesticides.

 

According to a new report, most of the burden of pollution falls on people living in poor countries. The report is a collaboration between the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution. the Blacksmith Institute for a Pure Earth and the Green Cross of Switzerland.

 

“Most of the countries that are struggling with this have very limited resources to ta