Climate change and toxic pollution: Which countries are most at risk?

• Humanity has produced significant amounts of both toxic and nontoxic pollution.
• Toxic pollution, such as fine particulate matter, directly harms human health.
• Nontoxic pollution contributes to global heating, which consequently damages human health due to the negative effects of climate change.
• Toxic and nontoxic pollution can exacerbate one another.
• The present study shows a “strong correlation” between toxic and nontoxic pollution in specific countries.
• The study also highlights a list of 10 countries that are most at risk of climate change and toxic pollution.

In a new study, researchers have demonstrated a “strong correlation” between toxic pollution, which directly damages human health, and nontoxic pollution, which contributes to global heating and climate change.

In the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, the researchers identified countries that the international community can effectively support to reduce the negative effects of both types of pollution.

The researchers also identified countries that will require support to “address governance challenges in order to have a chance at successfully addressing pollution risk,” says Dr. Rochard from the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, IN, and his study co-authors.