There are many different types of pollutants that are affecting Latin American people’s health. The soil, for instance, in most of these countries is being contaminated with chemicals and metal traces near agriculturally dense areas. This in turn leads to health risks from food that is cultivated for mass distribution. Mercury levels are at an all time high along the Amazon River which flows through much of Peru and Brazil. Pesticides are also a significant issue. Many nations have outlawed the use of such chemicals because of the environmental devastations they cause. Some developing Latin nations, however, have started to produce and sell the product for revenue to other third world countries.
Air pollution is another major concern for Latin American nations. According to a 2002 World Health Organization disease report , air pollution has caused 35,000 annual premature deaths and 276,000 years of life lost. Urban areas are some of the harder hit places with many people being affected, especially the poor and young children.
There has been some progress in terms of increasing air quality in Latin America. Responses to this crisis have come in the form of the Clean Air Initiative for Latin American and the Caribbean and the Clean Air Institute. These projects seek to promote clean air in urban environments, alleviate climate change, and encourage the use of public transportation.
Overall, Latin American governments are taking steps in the right direction in terms of improving pollution. This region continues to suffer from the effects of past decisions where health was not an issue. It is still important that initiatives be taken in order to minimize the destructive nature of pollution on health in Latin America.
