300 million children around the world breathe toxic air. This is the bitter observation made by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a study called “Clear the air for children”. Thus, one in seven children breathes polluted air at a level six times higher than that recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Beyond that, 2 billion children are exposed to pollution rates above acceptable levels for health, with regions most affected: South and East Asia, as well as Africa, in represent three quarters. The youngest are the most seriously affected: air pollution is directly linked to pneumonia and other respiratory infections, which account for one in ten deaths of children under five. According to Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF, “air pollution is the main factor in the deaths of 600,000 children under the age of five, and threatens the lives of millions more.”
More fragile children
Stale air interferes with the development of children’s lungs and brains. The particles can indeed cross the blood-brain barrier which protects the brain from external aggressions. In addition, the immune system of children is still developing. Their respiratory system is more permeable, children breathe faster and inhale more air than adults relative to their weight. All these reasons make them particularly vulnerable targets in the face of the dangers of pollution.
UNICEF calls for action
This pollution naturally affects the outside air, with the massive use of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, waste incineration and dust. But the indoor air is not cleaner: many households use charcoal or wood for cooking and heating, especially low-income rural families. UNICEF therefore asks the COP 22, which will meet soon in Marrakech, Morocco to take concrete measures:
• The reduction of air pollution to the level accepted by the WHO thanks to a reduction in the use of fossil fuels
• Better access for children to health systems, as well as communication campaigns
• Minimizing the exposure of children, with the prohibition of factories near schools and other places frequented by this population.
• Monitoring of the level of pollution which will bring better information to the populations.
For Anthony Lake, these measures would “protect both children and the environment, essential to our future”.
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