Fatal Air: Children's Deaths From Pollution

Air pollution is a leading cause of death globally, responsible for 8.1 million deaths in 2021. It is the second-biggest killer, overtaking tobacco use and poor diet. Among children under five, air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death, after malnutrition. Every day, almost 2,000 children under five die due to air pollution, with a staggering 500,000 child deaths linked to household air pollution from cooking indoors with polluting fuels. This is especially prevalent in Africa and Asia.

Air pollution is the second-biggest killer of children under five

Air pollution is now the second-biggest killer of children under five, after malnutrition, and is responsible for almost 2,000 deaths every day. According to the fifth edition of the State of Global Air (SoGA) report, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, with 700,000 of those being children under five. This makes air pollution the second-leading risk factor for death globally for this age group.

The report, released by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), an independent U.S.-based non-profit research organisation, found that air pollution is having an increasing impact on human health. It is now the second leading global risk factor for death, overtaking tobacco and poor diet. The report was produced in partnership with UNICEF for the first time and found that children under five are especially vulnerable.

The SoGA report also provides some positive news. Since 2000, the death rate linked to children under five has dropped by 53%. This is largely due to efforts aimed at expanding access to clean energy for cooking, as well as improvements in access to healthcare, nutrition, and better awareness about the harms associated with exposure to household air pollution. Many countries, particularly those with the highest levels of air pollution, are now tackling the problem head-on. For example, air quality actions in Africa, Latin America, and Asia include installing air pollution monitoring networks and implementing stricter air quality policies.

However, the report also highlights the vast inequalities that exist, with children in poor countries suffering some of the worst impacts of air pollution. The death rate linked to air pollution in children under five is 100 times higher in most of Africa than in high-income countries. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden commented that "our inaction is having profound effects on the next generation, with lifelong health and well-being impacts". She stressed the importance of governments and businesses using locally available data to inform meaningful, child-focused action to reduce air pollution and protect children's health.

Household air pollution causes 500,000 child deaths

Air pollution is a leading risk factor for death among children under five, second only to malnutrition. According to the State of Global Air (SoGA) report, air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, including 700,000 children under the age of five. Among these, 500,000 deaths were linked to household air pollution, mainly due to cooking indoors with polluting fuels.

Household air pollution is caused by the use of inefficient and polluting fuels and technologies in and around the home. These include fossil fuels and biomass, as well as charcoal, paraffin, coal, and kerosene, which release harmful pollutants, including small particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Women and children, who typically labour over household chores such as cooking and collecting firewood, bear the greatest health burden from exposure to these pollutants. They spend more time near the domestic hearth, inhaling indoor smoke, which can contain fine particle levels 100 times higher than acceptable.

The ingestion of kerosene by accident is the leading cause of childhood poisonings, and severe burns and injuries are often linked to household energy use in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, the time spent using and preparing fuel for inefficient, polluting devices constrains opportunities for health and development, such as studying, leisure, and other productive activities.

The impact of household air pollution on child health is devastating. It contributes to lower respiratory infections, with almost half of the deaths in children under five from this cause attributed to inhaling particulate matter from household air pollution. There is also evidence of links to low birth weight, tuberculosis, cataracts, and cancers.

Addressing household air pollution requires significant policy changes to rapidly increase access to clean fuels and technologies. This includes expanding the use of solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, alcohol fuels, and biomass stoves that meet emission targets. Such actions are crucial to protect the health and well-being of children, reducing the staggering number of deaths attributed to household air pollution each year.

Outdoor air pollution is also a major cause

Outdoor air pollution is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass in sectors such as transportation, residential homes, coal-burning power plants, industrial activities, and wildfires. These emissions release harmful pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which have severe health impacts, especially on children. High levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can lead to higher concentrations of ozone, exacerbating respiratory issues and increasing the risk of asthma in children.

Children in low-income countries suffer the most severe consequences of outdoor air pollution, with the death rate linked to air pollution in children under five being 100 times higher in most of Africa than in high-income countries. The impacts of the climate crisis further worsen air quality, as droughts, prolonged wildfires, and dust storms fill the air with particles that remain suspended for extended periods.

The International Energy Agency estimates that approximately $4 billion per year is required until 2030 to address this issue in sub-Saharan Africa alone. While progress has been made, with a 53% decrease in the death rate linked to air pollution in children under five since 2000, urgent and meaningful action is still needed to protect children's health and reduce air pollution globally.

To protect children's health and reduce outdoor air pollution, governments and businesses must prioritize meaningful, child-focused interventions. This includes implementing stricter air quality policies, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving access to healthcare and nutrition, and raising awareness about the dangers of air pollution exposure. By addressing this global priority, we can mitigate the profound effects of our inaction on the next generation.

Air pollution disproportionately affects children in low-income countries

Air pollution is a leading cause of death globally, with 8.1 million deaths attributed to it in 2021. It is the second-biggest killer of children under five, after malnutrition. Every day, almost 2000 children under five die because of health issues linked to air pollution. This figure represents approximately 15% of all global deaths in children under five.

The State of Global Air Report (SoGA) highlights the inequalities in the impact of air pollution, with children in poor countries suffering some of the worst effects. The death rate linked to air pollution in children under five is 100 times higher in most of Africa than in high-income countries. For instance, in Pakistan, a woman burns trash to cook food, contributing to air pollution and climate change, and leading to respiratory illnesses and other health issues, especially among children.

Indoor air pollution, caused by the use of polluting fuels for cooking, heating, and lighting, is a significant contributor to child deaths. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 1.7 million children under five died annually from environmental risks, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, second-hand smoke, unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and inadequate hygiene. The ingestion of kerosene by accident is the leading cause of childhood poisoning, and many severe burns and injuries in low- and middle-income countries are linked to household energy use.

Outdoor air pollution, particularly in areas with high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), also severely impacts children's health. As temperatures rise due to climate change, the presence of ground-level ozone increases, acting as an irritant gas when inhaled. Furthermore, higher temperatures worsen the impacts of airborne pollutants such as nitrogen oxides.

Addressing air pollution is crucial to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal of reducing under-five mortality. Significant policy changes are needed to rapidly increase access to clean fuels and technologies, reduce health inequities, and mitigate climate change.

Inaction on air pollution has profound effects on the next generation

Air pollution is the second-biggest killer of children under five globally, after malnutrition. In 2021, air pollution was linked to 700,000 deaths in children under five, accounting for approximately 15% of all global deaths in this age group. That's almost 2,000 children dying every day due to poor air quality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2017, 1.7 million children under five died from environmental risks, with more than 25% of these deaths attributable to indoor and outdoor air pollution, second-hand smoke, unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.

The impact of air pollution on children's health is profound and far-reaching. It is a leading cause of respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, with 570,000 children under five dying from these infections due to air pollution and second-hand smoke exposure. In addition, air pollution exacerbates asthma in children, with 11-14% of children aged five and older reporting asthma symptoms, and an estimated 44% of these linked to environmental exposures.

The climate crisis is also worsening air quality. As droughts become more severe and prolonged, and as temperatures rise, wildfires release pollutants into the air, and dust storms fill the air with particles that remain for extended periods. Higher temperatures also worsen the effects of airborne pollutants like nitrogen oxides, which can more easily turn into ozone at elevated temperatures, posing further respiratory risks.

Indoor air pollution, particularly in households using polluting fuels for cooking and heating, poses a significant risk to children's health. In 2020, household air pollution caused over 237,000 deaths in children under five. Women and children, who typically perform household chores, are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution, suffering from respiratory infections, heart disease, and other health issues. In addition, children in low-income countries are at an increased risk of diarrhoea and pneumonia due to a lack of access to safe water and sanitation, as well as exposure to indoor air pollution from cooking and heating fuels.

The impact of air pollution on children is not just physical but also educational and economic. For example, in households relying on solid fuels, children may spend time collecting firewood, limiting their time for education and other activities. The economic burden of air pollution is substantial, with millions of people living with chronic diseases, straining healthcare systems, economies, and societies.

In conclusion, inaction on air pollution has profound effects on the next generation, impacting their health, well-being, and future prospects. Urgent and meaningful action is needed to reduce air pollution, protect children's health, and ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.

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