on growth rates are concentrated in the poorest regions. Although there has been enormous economic growth, it appears that the health problems linked with economic stagnation, poverty and environmental degradation are likely to continue. The positive economic and social results of industrial growth have been accompanied by serious environmental degradation as well as growing threats to health. As part of this growth, industrial wastes are growing in quantity and becoming more varied, more toxic and more difficult to dispose. (WRI) Furthermore, a large share of industrial growth in developing countries revolves around the transformation of raw materials into industrial products such as steel, paper and chemicals. The production of industrial chemicals has been shifting to the developing world. In contrast, much of economic growth in developed countries is now in the service sector, for example: education, entertainment and business which are essentially less polluting. This rapid industrial growth has made water pollution, air pollution and hazardous wastes concerning environmental problems in many areas of the developing world. The lack of hazardous waste facilities adds to the problem, with industrial wastes often discarded on arid or public lands, in rivers, or in sewers. Part of the growth of industrialization has been caused by globalization. Globalization describes the rapid spread of free trade, the development of free markets and the growth of private investment across borders. This allows many companies to locate their operations in developing countries, where labor costs are significantly lower. Unfortunately, globalization also carries the risk that in order to compete for valuable industries, countries will neglect measures to restrict child labor, to protect the environment, or to ensure worker safety. Also, industries heavily regulated in the developed world because of their harmful environmental and health i...
