Green Cross Switzerland, an environmental organization, in cooperation with the U.S.-based Blacksmith Institute, has released a list of the world's 10 most polluted places, which are scattered across eight different countries.

According to the Environmental Toxin Report 2013, more than 200 million people around the world are now at risk of being exposed to toxic pollution. Especially in developing countries, 23 percent of deaths are attributable to environmental factors, including pollution, and environmental risk factors contribute to more than 80 percent of regularly reported diseases.

In this year's report, the eighth of its kind, the world's worst places were chosen based on the severity of their risk to human health, as identified by both on-site assessments and independent reports. Those areas containing toxins which are the highest above standard levels, in the most severe passageways and affecting the most people, were included in the top 10.

Although pollution causes serious problems, it is still possible to improve the environment of these heavily-polluted areas. Thanks to effective treatment measures, some places of China and India have been removed from the list this year.

The U.S., Japan and some countries of Western Europe are not featured on the list, but they are not beyond reproach. Much pollution in the poor countries is related to people's lifestyles in the richer countries.

The following are the top 10 most polluted places in the world (listed in the alphabetical order of their respective countries).

 Kabwe, Zambia卡布韋（贊比亞）

Kabwe, Zambia [File photo]

Pollutant: Lead

Population affected: 300,000+

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Kabwe is the second largest city in Zambia, famous for its massive lead mining. The unregulated smelting processes have caused elevated blood lead levels in local residents, especially children. The blood lead level found in the local children is about 10 times that of the normal level.