ation)
resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers,
oil refineries, and distribution stations; no natural fresh water
resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for
all water needs

Baker Island:
no natural fresh water resources

Bangladesh:
many people are landless and forced to live on and
cultivate flood-prone land; water-borne diseases prevalent in
surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results
from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by
naturally-occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of
falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the
country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe
overpopulation

Barbados:
pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships;
soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination
of aquifers

Bassas da India:
NA

Belarus:
soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the
country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident
at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine

Belgium:
the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human
activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry,
intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water
pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries;
uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now
resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challenges

Belize:
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial
effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal

Benin:
inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens
wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Bermuda:
asbestos disposal; water pollution; preservation of open
space

Bhutan:
soil erosion; limited access to potable water

Bolivia:
the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the
international demand for tropical timber are contributing to
deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation
methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification;
loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used
for drinking and irrigation

Bosnia and Herzegovina:
air pollution from metallurgical plants;
sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; water shortages and
destruction of infrastructure