ENVIORNMENTAL
POLLUTION AND CHILD HEALTH
More than three million under five children die each year from environment-
related causes and conditions .This makes the environment one of the most critical contributors to the global toll of more than ten million child deaths annually. Polluted indoor and outdoor air,contaminated water ,lack of adequate
sanitation,toxic hazards, disease vectors,ultraviolet radiation and degraded ecosystem are important environmental risk factors for
children and in most cases their mothers as well.In developing countries environmental hazards and pollution are major contributors to childhood illness and disability from acute respiratory infections,diarrrhoeal illness ,physical injuries, poisoning,insect born diseases and perinatal infections.
Diarrhoea kills about 1.6 million children each year, mainly by unsafe water ,poor sanitation .Around two million children die from every year from acute respiratory infections,the largest killer of young children.These infection are aggravated by indoor house pollution.Indoor air pollution associated with still- widespread use of biomass fuels
kills nearly one million children annually.Mother incharge of cooking or resting close to kitchen are at the risk of developing chronic respiratory disease This has importance in populous countries like India and china.Malaria which may be exacerbated by poor water management and storage kills one million under five children every year by mosquitoes, which breeds in water close to or within the home..Most common vector born disease and most serious vector borne diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes that breed in water.Women’s exposure to pesticides ,solvents and persistent organic pollutants may potentially harm the foetus.Lead in air,mercury in food and other chemicals can result in long-term ,often irreversible affects such as infertility,miscarriage, and birth defects.
According to WHO 90% of death due to diarrhea are under five children.88% of diarrhoeal disease is attributed to unsafe water,inadequate sanitation hygiene.Hygiene interventions like hand washing cause a reduction of cases by 45% and improving sanitation reduces cases by 32%.improvements like household water treatment at point of use can reduce diarrhea by 35%.More than 1.1 billion people in both urban and rural ares currently lack access to drinking water and 2.6 billion do not have access to basic sanitation .
The WHO and180 countries has set up MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS which sets a time frame to improve basic facilities.the key targets are <1> halve by 2015 ,the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation <2> integrate sanitation into water resources management strategies<3>reduce under five mortality by 2/3 between 1990-2015 <4> UN declares 2005- 2015 as water for life decade.
the indian scenario
the centre for earth science finds out unacceptable level of pesticides in soft drinks. there is an increasing awareness among people against these soft drinks.it seems many cola companies are not adhering to their standards in developing countries.it also likely to affect children and pregnant women. in the state of kerala cola is banned by law
he strategy to tackle this problem involves promotion of simple ,low cost,effectiveand sustainable measuresSafe water storage at home and treatment of waterWashing hands with soap before food preparation ,before meals and after defecationSafer food hygiene: keep clean;separate raw and cooked; cook thoroughly;keep food at safe temperature;use of safe water and raw materialsClean fuels and improved cooking decreases indoor air pollution ,an emerging issue in India and china.Use mosquito nets screening of windows,doors is an effective way to protect against malaria.Ensure safe storage of pesticides ,fuels and chemicals
thThere are over 600 million under five in the world today. They represent the future of the planet and bountless human potential.However ,only mothers who are themselves healthy,and in a position to provide healthy clean and safe environment can preserve their child”s right to life. In order to achieve this goal ,it is important for decision makersat international ,national and regional levels ,together with non governmental organization.communities and families to join efforts in recognizing and addressing key environmental hazards. This will involve policy action ,advocacy,prevention and grass root participationLet “ make every child and mother count”