Norilsk, Russia 諾里爾斯克（俄羅斯）

Norilsk, Russia [File photo]

Pollutant: Copper, nickel oxide, other heavy metals

Population affected: 135,000

Site description:

This city in the Arctic Circle was the largest heavy metals smelting complex in the world until the early 2000s. Nearly 500 tons each of copper and nickel oxides and 2 million tons of sulfur dioxide were released into the air annually, leading to serious air pollution. No tree grows within a 30 kilometer range of the city. Life expectancy for factory workers here lies 10 years below the Russian average.