In its latest global pollution report, the US-based Blacksmith Institute finds that wastes from mining, lead smelters, industrial dumps and other toxic sites are impacting on the health of an estimated 125 million people in 49 low- and middle-income countries. The Institute says that this unrecognised health burden is on the scale of malaria or tuberculosis.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=11976.