WHO, pollution kills 1 in 4 children

    Killer pollution, the new bitter confirmation of the WHO arrives. Air and water pollution has serious consequences for everyone and in particular for children, who are among the most fragile subjects.

    Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

    Killer pollution, the new bitter confirmation of the WHO arrives. L'pollution air and water has serious consequences on everyone and in particular on children, which are among the most fragile subjects.





    The World Health Organization has released a new report that pollution is the worst enemy of children and is responsible for death of 1 in 4 children under five years old.

    Children are killed by diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria, serious problems that could be prevented if there was greater attention to the environment, especially in the most disadvantaged areas of the world and where pollution is more present.

    According to the WHO, the exposure of the child to pollution already occurs through the mother, in the course of pregnancy.

    “A polluted environment is deadly, particularly for young children. Their organs and their developing immune systems, their still growing bodies and shorter respiratory tracts make them vulnerable to polluted water and air ”- stressed Margaret Chan, WHO director general.

    Exposure to pollution of pregnant women increases the risk of premature births. When young children are exposed to pollution or the passive smoking have an increased risk of developing childhood pneumonia and chronic breathing problems such as asthma. Exposure to polluted air according to WHO can also increase the risk of heart problems, stroke and cancer during adulthood.

    Read also: CHILDREN: STRESS AND POLLUTION MAKE THEM MORE ANXIOUS AND AGGRESSIVE

    Here are what they are, according to the WHO, the major causes of death for children under the age of five:

    • 570 children under 5 die of respiratory infections such as pneumonia attributable to outdoor and indoor pollution and passive smoking.
    • 361 children under the age of 5 die of dysentery as a result of poor access to clean water and poor sanitation.
    • 270 babies die during the first month of life due to premature birth which could be prevented by reducing air and water pollution and improving hygiene conditions.
    • 200 children under the age of 5 worldwide are dying of malaria.

    WHO points out that the situation is worsening due to climate change, rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide levels that are favoring air pollution.



    Read also: SMOG: 7 CONSEQUENCES OF POLLUTION ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH

    WHO, pollution kills 1 in 4 children

    Children are mainly exposed to polluted air, unsafe water, secondhand smoke, contaminated food and potentially dangerous chemicals around them. According to the WHO, prompt action is needed to reduce the causes of pollution, diseases and dangers for children.

    Read also: HOW TO PROTECT THE LUNGS FROM AIR POLLUTION: 10 REMEDIES AND TIPS

    Here are some of solutions to be adopted immediately according to WHO suggestions:

    • More hygiene in schools
    • More interventions to make water safe and drinkable
    • Create more green spaces suitable for children
    • Reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture
    • Better manage industrial chemical waste
    • Greater education on health and environmental risks

    Following these points, WHO is developing a plan to make children's living conditions safer by 2030. Everyone can participate, even ordinary citizens, to help make the air more breathable, starting from our homes.



    Read the WHO report on children and pollution here.

    Marta Albè

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