The hunt is on for some of the world’s most polluted places and the findings could hopefully prove to be an eye-opener. In a first of its kind, ‘The Global Inventory Project’ initiated by the New York-based nonprofit Blacksmith Institute hopes to search out some of the world’s foulest industrial waste sites. ‘The Global Inventory Project’ aims to be the most comprehensive database of its unsavory kind. Helped by researchers who are fanning out to about 80 countries, most of the entries would make the ‘dishonor’ roll.

 

The database could ultimately list about 1,200 to 2000 sites from around the world. The European Commission and Green Cross Switzerland is funding the inventory for the next 18 months with $1.5 million, and the U.N. Industrial Development Organization has hopped on board as a partner.

 

The researchers have been sourced from local semi-government agencies, universities and nonprofit groups in the concerned countries. This is a bold new venture, a first step which may help international bodies and governments recognize the serious threats posed by environmental and ground pollution, some in their own backyards. Cancer, Asthma, disabilities and death are the most visible fallouts in most of the places which have become sink holes for industrial refuse. The acknowledgment of the problem could be the first prod towards proactive action to clean up the mess we create in the first place.

 

The advantage of such a publicized list is that it is a silent indictment for companies which find themselves on that list. Also, Blacksmith has extended a hand by offering to work together to clean up the mess instead of going with confrontational attacks and lawsuits.