South Africa
In Mpumalanga Highveld, South Africa, more than 3.5 million residents breathe in toxic fumes from the smokestacks of 12 coal-fired power plants in proximity to their city. This concoction of toxic fumes includes sulfur dioxide, mercury, and particulate matter, which are small particles that enter the lungs as liquid droplets.

This causes an extreme array of irreversible health problems including respiratory and cardiac-related diseases. Because South Africa has such a dependence on coal, controlling 90% of the country’s electricity, it’s become one of the most polluted areas in the world (Earth Justice).