Quarter of infant deaths ‘caused by pollution’

POLLUTION poses a greater threat than Ebola and HIV and is responsible for one in four deaths among the under-fives, the World Health Organisation has warned.

More than 1.7 million children’s deaths globally were attributable to environmental hazards such as air pollution and contaminated water, according to a report published yesterday.

The research found that the most common causes of child mortality – diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia – were exacerbated by pollution.

The WHO claims that one quarter of deaths and diseases in 2012 could have been prevented by tackling the problem head-on.

The disclosure comes on the back of frequent warnings by health experts that pollution is linked to thousands of deaths in the UK every year.

Last year, the Royal Colleges of Physicians and of Paediatrics and Child Health said that air pollution in British cities was contributing to around 40,000 early deaths annually, warning that poorly controlled diesel emissions were mainly to blame.

A report by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has found that tens of thousands of children in the capital are exposed to illegal levels of air pollution. In response, Mr Khan announced a series of pollution policies including a daily £10 vehicle charge for older, more polluting vehicles.

The WHO report also warns that exposure to polluted environments can significantly increase the chances of premature births.

Exposure to hazardous chemicals through air, food, water and products used in everyday life is associated with hindered brain development, while improperly recycled electronic waste affects children’s cognitive abilities.

Dr Margaret Chan, the WHO director-general, said: “Investing in the removal of environmental risks to health, such as improving water quality or using cleaner fuels, will result in massive health benefits.”