Bronte Wells
Air pollution is a leading cause of death for children under five years old, with hundreds of thousands of deaths attributed to it annually. In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to more than 700,000 deaths of children under five, making it the second-leading risk factor for death globally for this age group, after malnutrition. Air pollution is caused by industry, cars, wildfires, and cooking fuels, and it increases the risk of respiratory diseases, strokes, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, which can cause premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, and lung diseases. The impact of air pollution on child health varies greatly between high-income and low-income countries, with death rates in Africa, for example, 100 times higher than in high-income countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of children under 5 dying every day from air pollution | 1,700,000 per year, 2,000 per day |
| Number of children under 5 dying every year from respiratory infections | 570,000 |
| Number of children under 5 dying every year from diarrhea | 361,000 |
| Number of children dying during their first month of life from conditions including prematurity | 270,000 |
| Number of children under 5 dying every year from malaria | 200,000 |
| Number of deaths of children under 5 from malnutrition | 700,000 in 2021 |
| Number of deaths of children under 5 from air pollution | 700,000 in 2021 |
| Number of deaths of children under 5 from household air pollution | 500,000 in 2021 |
| Number of deaths of newborns from air pollution | 500,000 in 2019 |
| Number of global deaths from air pollution | 8,000,000 in 2021 |
| Number of global deaths from smoking | 8,000,000 |
| Number of global deaths from road accidents | 1,300,000 |
| Number of global deaths from natural disasters | Air pollution causes 500 times more deaths |
| Number of global deaths from strokes, cardiovascular disease, and cancers | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Air pollution from cooking fuels
Air pollution is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old, with nearly 2000 children dying every day due to its health impacts. In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to more than 700,000 deaths of children under five, with 500,000 of these linked to household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels, mostly in Africa and Asia.
Household air pollution (HAP) is a major risk factor for health and is caused by the use of polluting fuels and stoves for cooking. Solid cooking fuels, such as wood, charcoal, coal, dung, and crop residues, are burned indoors, releasing dangerous particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants. These pollutants can increase environmental health risks, contribute to climate change, and degrade local environments. In addition, the collection of wood for cooking contributes to forest degradation and land use changes, impacting wildlife habitats.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 2.3 billion people lack access to clean cooking technologies and rely on burning solid fuels. This results in indoor air pollution levels that can be up to 20 times worse than the WHO's air quality guidelines. The problem is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly 98% of children in these countries exposed to air pollution levels that exceed WHO limits.
Unsafe fuel-burning practices, such as using kerosene, biomass, and open fires, drastically increase air pollution levels in households and the surrounding environments. In addition to the immediate health risks, exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can have lifelong health effects on children, including low birth weight, asthma, and lung diseases.
To address this issue, organizations like the EPA and UNICEF are working to increase access to cleaner home cooking technologies and fuels that are affordable, reliable, efficient, and safer. These efforts aim to reduce household energy pollutants, improve health outcomes, and reduce environmental impacts related to the demand for solid fuels. Strategies to increase the adoption of clean household energy include financial support for cleaner technologies, improved ventilation, and communication campaigns to encourage clean energy use.
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Water pollution and poor sanitation
In 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safely managed drinking water services, while 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services. This lack of access to safe water and sanitation has profound impacts on health, particularly for children. Diarrhoea, caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation, is responsible for an estimated 842,000 deaths globally in 2012, with 395,000 of those being children under five years of age. This makes diarrhoea a leading cause of child mortality, yet it is largely preventable by addressing issues related to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Poor water supply and sanitation also contribute to the spread of other diseases. For example, schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through infested water, affected over 251.4 million people in 2021. Additionally, insects that breed in water, such as mosquitoes, can transmit diseases like dengue fever, further impacting vulnerable populations, especially children.
The impact of water pollution and poor sanitation extends beyond health. In the coastal areas of the Philippines, water pollution resulted in economic losses of US$26 million per year, affecting fisheries and coral reefs. Tourism industries are also impacted by water pollution in recreational areas, leading to decreased visitation or gastrointestinal illnesses among tourists. Furthermore, poor and vulnerable populations often have lower access to improved WASH services, perpetuating inequalities and hindering socioeconomic development.
To address these challenges, significant investments in infrastructure and sanitation facilities are necessary. This includes protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, such as rivers and lakes, and promoting hygiene education. By improving water-use efficiency and ensuring sustainable water resource management, we can reduce water scarcity and work towards achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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Poor air quality in schools
Children are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution, as their lungs, bodies, and brains are still developing. They inhale more air per kilogram of body weight and absorb more pollutants relative to adults. Exposure to air pollution in young children is linked to pneumonia, which is responsible for 1 in 5 child deaths globally, as well as asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disease in older children. In the United States, Black children have nearly twice the rate of asthma as White children and are four times more likely to die from asthma. Additionally, indoor air pollution can lead to other health issues such as headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
Schools can become hotspots for indoor air pollution due to various factors. Outdoor sources, such as transportation and grounds maintenance activities, contribute to indoor pollution as outdoor air enters school buildings through windows, doors, and ventilation systems. The use of certain fuels for cooking and heating, such as kerosene, biomass, and polluting fuels, can also significantly impact indoor air quality and have been linked to a substantial number of child deaths, especially in Africa and Asia.
The impact of poor air quality in schools extends beyond the immediate health consequences. It can affect students' learning abilities and harm their growing lungs. Additionally, it can create strain relationships among school administration, parents, and staff.
To address poor air quality in schools, it is crucial to implement measures that ensure healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). This includes controlling airborne pollutants, introducing and distributing adequate outdoor air, and maintaining appropriate temperature and relative humidity. School districts can explore infrastructure resources and take advantage of online courses that focus on assessing and improving ventilation, filtration, air cleaning, and monitoring IAQ. By taking proactive steps, schools can create a favorable environment that promotes the well-being and educational success of students and staff while also reducing the long-term health risks associated with indoor air pollution.
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Air pollution from industry
In recent years, industrialization has rapidly increased in India, leading to rising air pollution levels and deteriorating air quality. This has resulted in a significant public health crisis and an economic burden. Similar issues are faced in southern communities, where industrial facilities emit carbon emissions and other pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, carcinogens, mercury, and lead. These pollutants disproportionately impact communities of color and low-wealth areas, exacerbating health conditions like asthma and causing respiratory issues, especially in children and the elderly.
The Clean Air Council works to reduce air pollution from highly polluting industries, such as steel-making facilities, natural gas, plastics, chemicals, and waste disposal. They advocate for a transition away from natural gas and address the climate crisis caused by oil and gas operations. Additionally, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) works to protect public health and the environment by challenging deficient air pollution permits and enforcing stronger emission limits. They aim to hold polluting industries accountable and ensure that federal, state, and local agencies enforce necessary safeguards.
The impact of air pollution on children is devastating, with UNICEF reporting that nearly 2,000 children under five years old die daily due to health issues linked to air pollution. The death rate in children under five in Africa, Latin America, and Asia is alarmingly high, with indoor air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels being a significant contributor. Overall, more than 90% of children worldwide breathe unhealthy levels of air pollution daily, affecting their physical and mental development.
To address this crisis, it is crucial to implement policies that support the green transition of public transport, such as electric school buses, and promote the use of clean energy for cooking. Improving access to healthcare, nutrition, and awareness about the harms of air pollution can also help reduce child deaths. Additionally, ensuring safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in health facilities and protecting pregnant women from second-hand smoke are essential measures to protect children from the detrimental effects of air pollution.
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Air pollution from vehicles
While I am unable to find specific data on the number of children who die from vehicle air pollution, I can provide you with information on air pollution from vehicles and its impact on human health.
Sources of Vehicle Air Pollution
Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution and can be categorised into two main types: carbon dioxide pollution and air pollution. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released when gasoline and other fossil fuels are burned, and while it is essential for life on Earth, the scale of these emissions has overwhelmed the planet's natural absorption systems. As a result, excess CO2 forms a heat-trapping layer, contributing to global warming.
In addition to carbon dioxide, vehicle exhaust releases toxic pollutants, including:
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen oxides, including nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Sulfur dioxide
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Hydrocarbons
Health Risks of Vehicle Air Pollution
Vehicle emissions have been linked to an increased risk of respiratory disease, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. Additionally, certain pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, pose the greatest health risk to young children and asthmatics.
Reducing Vehicle Air Pollution
It is important to note that newer vehicles tend to emit less air pollution due to stronger fuel economy standards and improved fuel efficiency. However, the growing popularity of less fuel-efficient vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, along with increasing vehicle miles travelled, continues to contribute to air pollution.
To address this issue, individuals can make conscious choices to drive less, drive smarter, and opt for cleaner vehicles. This includes driving within speed limits, accelerating gradually, and maintaining vehicles to ensure they run efficiently. Additionally, walking, biking, carpooling, and using public transportation are effective ways to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.
On a larger scale, policies and investments that support sustainable land use, cleaner transportation, energy-efficient housing, and better waste management can significantly reduce ambient air pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unhealthy environments cause the deaths of 1.7 million children under 5 each year. A more recent report from 2021 puts the number at 700,000 children under 5 dying from air pollution.
Air pollution is the second leading cause of death in children under 5, after malnutrition. Other causes include respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malaria, and prematurity.
Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and asthma, as well as other health issues like low birth weight and lung diseases. It can also affect brain development and increase the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
