Stories From the Ground

azerbaijan

Changing attitudes raise hopes for Azerbaijan toxic pollution clean-up

As a child, Rovshan Abbasov lived idyllic summers in the mountains of Azerbaijan playing in the clean air. But when the holiday ended, he returned to village life centered around cotton growing and with it came exposure to the fertilizers and other toxins applied to the crop. Rovshan remembers the low-flying planes spraying clouds of white powder that smelled horribly. Only later did he realize it was DDT. Today Rovshan is a leading figure in the clean-up of toxic sites in the former Soviet Union state.

indonesia

When cutting air pollution becomes personal

As a person living with asthma, Vovio Witni has suffered the effects of smoke pollution from Indonesia’s forest fires since her youth. In 2019 she even had oxygen installed in her house. But today she is also playing a role in efforts in Central Kalimantan province to prevent the forest and land fires that emit the smoke annually, especially during drought years. Working with a local NGO, Witni played a major role in producing the province’s health and pollution action plan (HPAP).

madagascar

No safe haven: how cooking at home can be fatal

In 2008 tragedy struck Ngagne Diaw, just outside Dakar, when 32 children died after being exposed to lead poisoning from the illicit recycling of lead acid car batteries. The disaster shocked Senegal. But this practice, which can earn poor families an income, is still happening in the country, and its gradual, toxic effects are likely to be slipping under the radar. Healthcare workers are now being trained to spot lead poisoning in children, who are most at risk. The government is also piloting a battery recharging scheme and tightening regulations to ensure fewer used batteries are available.