Pollution of Megacities

What is it that defines third world mega-cities? Tragically - deafening noise, chaotic traffic and the stench of rubbish. The air in these big cities is hard to breathe, the levels of air-pollution are life-threatening. People live in slums where they can’t access electricity or clean water and there is barely any sanitation.

Globally, there are around 40 so-called mega-cities. Cities with populations exceeding five million and counting, as people continue to pour in, hoping for work and a better life. Most of these inhabitants end up in sub-human conditions, living without sanitation among the uncollected piles of rubbish. Infections and disease are rife, even commonplace. The water people wash in is contaminated and there is no clean drinking water. The rivers are rich in bacteria and chemicals from the domestic and industrial waste that flows in untreated. Levels of air-pollution far exceeding World Health Organisation recommendations aggravate people’s lungs and eyes and affect blood circulation. Children are the worst affected. Child mortality in mega-cities is high. Help is, more often than not, just not available. City councils are hopelessly overwhelmed or have simply resigned themselves to the status quo.