Toxic air steals health – and life – for children in East Asia and the Pacific. new UNICEF report It revealed the severity of the influence, which caused the human rights organization that focuses on children to invite immediate global measures.
What is happening?
New analysis I found that more than 100 children under 5 years of age die every day in East Asia and the Pacific Display due to air pollution. This means that air pollution contributes to approximately 1 out of every 4 deaths for children under 5 in the region.
“Every soul is important, but for many children it can harm all breaths,” said June Conwji, the regional director of UNICEF in East Asia and the Pacific. press release.
Analysis also High All 500 million children in the region live in countries with unhealthy air. About 373 million of these children live in areas that are exposed to dangerous levels of nitrogen dioxide from gas and industrial operations.
325 million children are exposed to the levels of the excessive geming material that exceeds Global Health Organization Annual guidelines five times or more. According to Environmental Protection AgencyMicrobial particles – pollution particles about 2.3 % the size of the sand grain – very small so that they can be inhaled, entering the lungs and blood course and causing serious health problems.
Why reducing air pollution is important?
As UNICEF explained, the harmful health effects of air pollution affect children who start in the womb, which increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. In childhood, air pollution can weaken lung growth, reduce cognitive function, and contribute to chronic diseases such as asthma and cardiovascular conditions.
“The air [children] Breathing, at a time when their bodies and minds are still developing, often contain unhealthy levels of pollution that can be their growth, harm their lungs, and weaken their cognitive development. ” press release.
These health effects do not harm children irreversibly; It also increases medical expenses to already extended health care systems. UNICEF also I mentioned The high -learning pollution levels often intersect in the area by forcing schools closing when the conditions are severe.
While this pollution is a special concern for vulnerable children, all East Asian and Pacific residents are at risk. According to United Nations Environment Program6.5 million people all over the world die every year from exposure to bad air quality. About 70 % of these deaths occur in East Asia and the Pacific.
What is done to reduce air pollution in East Asia and the Pacific?
In its analysis, UNICEF The name Governments, companies, healthcare professionals, parents and teachers should “take immediate steps to reduce air pollution and protect children’s health.” UNICEF is already cooperating with these major groups by defending the strongest standards and policies of global air pollution, implementing programs to reduce pollution, and work with healthcare professionals to treat pollution -related diseases, and more.
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The organization has called on the legislators all over the world to adopt and enforce stronger environmental policies, move to clean energy, and implement air quality standards alignment with the World Health Organization. UNICEF also advised companies to adopt cleaner technology and reduce the pollution of the planet.
The organization said that health workers, parents and teachers should behave as defenders of children, increase awareness of the effect of harmful air pollution on children and enabling young people to take measures.
While the treatment of air pollution at the individual level may feel an impossible task, each of them A friend of the planet Team occurs. Reducing air pollution result by benefiting from Public transportation or Biking Instead of driving alone. Keeping energy at home by turning into a heat pump or simply extinguishing lights when leaving a room. Recycling, tree planting to improve air quality, Think before buying All of these actions can help you (and others) to breathe a little easier.
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