Toxic pollution is a stealth global killer that kills one in seven people worldwide

BREAKING Green Divas myEARTH360 Report: Listen to this interesting and encouraging conversation with Rich Fuller, president and founder of Pure Earth / Blacksmith Institute, which came out with a report this week about toxic pollution reduction in developing nations. Then read on for more information and infographics.

Diseases like Ebola, HIV and Malaria capture headlines while pollution steadily kills nearly nine million people every year and cripples the health of 200 million more. Children suffer the worst impacts. Extreme pollution also chokes development and drains billions from fragile economies. But this is one global problem we know how to solve.

What kind of “pollution” is the leading cause of death?

This year’s report, Top Ten Countries Turning the Corner on Toxic Pollution- 2014, tells the remarkable stories of 10 successful cleanup projects that are saving lives, improving community health and restoring the environment. From Vietnam to Kyrgyzstan to Senegal, the success of these projects was the result of unique partnerships and creative solutions like replacing deadly backyard lead battery recycling with hydroponic gardens.

“Regardless of the obstacles and lack of resources, something can always be done to begin to turn the corner and improve the most polluted environments,” says Richard Fuller, President of Blacksmith Institute for a Pure Earth. “Each one of these projects provides on-the-ground proof of how truly solvable toxic pollution problems are, and these Top Ten Countries are leading the way.”

Here are the top ten countries turning the corner on toxic pollution – 2014