10 Facts on Children's Environmental Health

All children need healthy, safe and protective environments to ensure normal growth, development and well-being.

Nearly one-third of the nine million under-five child deaths every year are associated with environment-related causes and conditions. Environmental risk factors often act in concert, and their effects are exacerbated by adverse social and economic conditions – particularly conflict, poverty and malnutrition.

Fact 1

Environmental factors are responsible for 88% of the 1.5 million annual child deaths year due to diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death among children under five years old, with nearly one in five deaths due to diarrhoea. Around 88% of these deaths are attributable tounsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. Treatingand safe storage of drinking water and washing hands can prevent diarrhoeal disease. Exclusive breastfeeding also helps prevent diarrhoeal disease among young children.

Fact 2

Half of the two million annual child deaths from acute respiratory infections are attributable to indoor air pollution.

Acute respiratory infections – in particular pneumonia – are the biggest killer of young children. Nearly half of these deaths are attributable to indoor smoke from solid fuel.Second-hand tobacco smoke is another major risk factor. Children in developing countries are especially at risk due topoor housing conditions.

Fact 3

Asthma prevalence is rising rapidly in children.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and occurs in all countries. It is triggered by environmental factors such as house dust mites, second-hand smoke, mouldsand pollens. Asthma can be controlled with proper diagnosis and treatment, and by reducing exposure to the environmental triggers.

Fact 4

In some developing regions of the world, more than one third of all children are affected by high levels of lead.

Lead poisoning can alter children's brain development. It can increase the risk of behavioural and learning problems, and ofcardiovascular diseases later in life. Lead is no longer used in gasoline in most countries, but children are still exposed to it from smelters, lead-based paint, recycling activities, cosmetics, herbal medicines, and other sources.

Fact 5

Acute poisoning from pesticides can be life-threatening to children.

Unsafe use, storage and disposal of pesticides are the main causes of acute poisoning. Chronic, low-level exposure to pesticides is linked with neurological, developmental, reproductive and other effects in children. Exposure may result from the use of pesticides in gardens, homes and schools, agricultural drift, or through contaminated food anddrinking water.

Fact 6

Mercury is toxic to the nervous system of the developing fetus.

The fetus, newborns and children are especially susceptible to mercury exposure because of the sensitivity of the developing nervous system. Women of childbearing age andchildren should avoid eating large predatory, non-fatty fish (such as shark) that can have high levels of mercury. Children can also be exposed to mercury from some herbal medicines and some teething powders.

Fact 7

Many children in Africa and Asia are exposed to aflatoxins in foods.

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi that contaminate food. Maize and groundnuts are major sources of exposure. Acute poisoning from aflatoxins can be life-threatening. Over the long-term, children with chronic aflatoxin exposure may become stunted, underweight, and more susceptible to infectious diseases in childhood and later life.

Fact 8

Hundreds of thousands of children under the age of 15 unintentionally ingest poisonous substances, and some 35,000 of them die every year.

Poisoning most commonly involves fuel, pesticides, medicines,and toxic household products. Storing these items away from children’s sight and reach, and using child-resistant packagingcan save children's lives.

Fact 9

Environmental factors play a role in childhood cancers.

While much about the origin of childhood cancers remains unknown, environmental agents such as radiation, tobaccoand second-hand smoke, aflatoxins, ultraviolet light, and some pesticides play a role.

Fact 10

Climate change increases the risk of disease especially for children in developing countries.

Over 85% of the burden of disease of climate change is borne by children in developing countries. Children face risks of injuries and death from floods and extreme temperatures, asthma and respiratory diseases that increase in frequency with air pollution, and diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, andmalnutrition related to climate change.