The water issue also highlights urban inequities. The poor majority in urban slums generally pay four times more for safe water than those in elite residential areas. Urban inhabitants do not just suffer from inadequate sanitation. Air pollution, mainly due to fossil fuel burning for motor vehicles and industry, is an equally severe problem in developing cities. In China, smoke and particles from burning coal cause 50,000 premature deaths and 400,000 new cases of chronic bronchitis a year in 11 of its largest cities.
Chemical discharge is also a widespread problem.
In Southeast Asia, much industrial waste, including hazardous chemicals, are discharged without treatment. On a positive note, many countries have introduced legislation to combat the problem. One key issue, which is often overlooked, is the impact that urban living has on environmental awareness. This very real threat needs to be countered by measures designed to raise understanding. Better public access to environmental information also needs to be provided.