Over 1.8 billion children breathe toxic air daily – WHO

A new report released on Tuesday by the World Health Organisation, WHO, revealed that not less than 1.8 billion (93 percent) children around the world breathe toxic air daily.

The report which focused on Air pollution and child health raised the alarm noted that the air is so polluted that it puts their health and development at serious risk. 

According to the WHO in the report, tragically, many of them die.  It further estimated that in 2016, 600,000 children died from acute lower respiratory infections caused by polluted air.

The report which further prescribed clean air examined the heavy toll of both ambient (outside) and household air pollution on the health of the world’s children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 

Reacting to the report which was launched on the eve of WHO’s first ever Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said:  “Air Pollution is stunting our children’s brains, affecting their health in more ways than we suspected and is poisoning millions of children and ruining their lives. 

“Every child should be able to breathe clean air so they can grow and fulfil their full potential.” WHO has revealed that pregnant women, who are exposed to polluted air, are more likely to give birth prematurely, and have small or low birth-weight children.