In Poland, poor air quality, contaminated drinking water, and absence of treatment of industrial and municipal wastes are of major concern. The burning of mercury-gold amalgam to release the bound gold releases mercury fumes, which then injure workers and settle on vegetation, where it is eventually washed by rain into the soil and into rivers. Studies of reservoirs downstream of gold mining demonstrate mercury contamination of soil, water, and fish. China is a rapidly developing country with over 1.2 billion people. Environmental problems have arisen from overpopulation and rapid industrialization and overuse of natural resources.
Air pollution is a major problem.
Much of China's surface water is contaminated with heavy metals including lead, cadmium, and arsenic from industrial pollution. The cover of this month's EHP and the first Focus article focus on the people of the world and their role in both degrading and protecting the environment. Clearly, renewable resources in the future may become severely strained or depleted. It is extremely important that we begin to address the issues. Somehow we have to build a future that is sustainable, that does not destroy the environment.