Environmental Pollution Causes 1.7 Million Child Deaths Annually

The World Health Organization announced that more than one in four deaths of children under five years old worldwide is attributed to unhealthy environmental factors. According to this international organization, environmental hazards such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, exposure to tobacco smoke, unsafe water, and lack of sanitation claim the lives of approximately 1.7 million children under five each year. The report, published on Monday, March 6, on the official WHO website, states that diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia, which are the main causes of death among children aged one to five, can be prevented by reducing environmental hazards such as access to safe water and clean fuels. The WHO stated that environmental pollution may increase the risk of premature births. Additionally, children exposed to air pollution and tobacco smoke may be more susceptible to pneumonia and acute respiratory diseases such as asthma, as well as heart disease and cancer. In this context, every year, 570,000 children under five die from respiratory infections like pneumonia, which are related to air pollution and exposure to tobacco smoke. Furthermore, 361,000 children under five die from diarrhea caused by lack of access to safe water and public sanitation. According to the report, about 270,000 children in their first month of life die from complications related to premature birth, which can be prevented through access to safe water and sanitation in public places and reducing air pollution. The WHO noted that the deaths of 200,000 children under five from malaria can be prevented through environmental actions such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites and protecting drinking water sources. In another part of the report, it is stated that about 200,000 children under five also die from environmental-related accidents such as poisoning, falls, and drowning. The report highlights emerging environmental hazards such as electronic waste, including old mobile phones that are improperly recycled, which expose children to toxins that may lead to reduced intelligence and sensory abilities, respiratory diseases, and cancer. It is predicted that the production of electronic waste will increase by about 19% between 2014 and 2018, reaching 50 million tons by 2018. The WHO report states that with rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels due to climate change, conditions become favorable for the growth of seed plants, which increases the prevalence of asthma in children. Between 11% and 14% of children aged five and older worldwide suffer from asthma symptoms, and it is estimated that 44% of this figure is related to exposure to environmental problems. Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, countries are working to set targets to improve children's environmental health and prevent infant and child mortality under five by 2030. In addition to the aforementioned issues, aimed at ensuring healthy lives and improving well-being for all, the shift towards the use of clean energy to reduce air pollution and reverse climate change will have an impact on children's health.