UNICEF Warns of Rising Mortality Rates Due to Pollution and Calls for Immediate Government Intervention
UNICEF has raised the alarm over the deadly impact of air pollution on young children in East Asia and the Pacific, with more than 100 children under five dying each day due to pollution-related causes. In a stark warning issued on February 6, the United Nations Children’s Fund called for urgent action to address rising emissions, improve air quality regulations, and strengthen healthcare systems. This equates to approximately 40,000 deaths annually, underscoring the severity of the issue.
The report reveals that over 500 million children live in areas with dangerously high pollution levels, exposing them to harmful air both indoors and outdoors. Tragically, exposure to toxic pollutants begins even before birth and can lead to lifelong health problems. Household air pollution, especially from the use of fuels like wood and dried dung for cooking and heating, accounts for more than half of all air pollution-related deaths among children under five.
Titled Growing Up In The Haze, the report urges governments to take swift and decisive action to curb the crisis. Samuel Treglown, UNICEF’s regional climate and sustainable environment consultant, stated, “Air pollution is a silent killer, but collective efforts can expose its impact and spark change.”
Countries across the region, including China, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are struggling with the adverse effects of air pollution, particularly during the dry season. Thailand, for example, is facing severe air quality issues due to crop burning and other sources. According to UNICEF, air pollution is the second leading cause of death for children under five in the region, accounting for nearly one in four deaths. Only malnutrition is a greater risk to child survival.
On a global scale, air pollution causes nearly 2,000 child deaths every day, making it the second-highest cause of early death worldwide. The tiny particulate matter known as PM2.5, which can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, is particularly harmful. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory diseases, cognitive delays, and even cancer.
While there has been some progress – child deaths linked to air pollution dropped by 78% between 2000 and 2021 – the decline has been slower for outdoor pollution, particularly from traffic, industry, and waste burning. This has contributed to a 40% rise in pollution-related child deaths.
In response, UNICEF is calling for stronger environmental policies, a transition to cleaner energy sources, and better healthcare infrastructure. Raising awareness, particularly among parents and educators, is also crucial to safeguarding the health of future generations and mitigating the long-term impact of air pollution.
