Pollution
in the
Former Soviet Union

An Overview

So much contamination by chemical wastes has been dumped into the drinking water supply that mothers in the Aral region cannot breast-feed their babies without running the risk of poisoning them (Feshbach, Friendly 2). The countries within the old Soviet bloc have the most appalling pollution problems in the world. These countries are riddled with polluted air, water, land, and devastated forests. Eighteen percent of the former USSR is classified as "very complicated" in terms of pollution. The most serious types (excluding nuclear wastes) are air and water (Dyukov 23).

The purpose of Pollution in the Former Soviet Union is to raise awareness of the extreme danger the Earth is in. The horrors of the Soviet region are not as readily known as Brazil is for deforestation. I hope this paper will help people everywhere to recognize that the former Soviet Union needs a great deal of help, and I hope it inspires them to take action. Nuclear concerns are not addressed due to the overwhelming amount of information, the general knowledge of the public, and "From talks with health officials, I know that industrial and auto pollution in sum are of greater danger than radiation" (Edwards 76).

Emily McCauley
June 1994


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