Children most at risk from environmental pollution, say experts
Children throughout Europe are exposed to unacceptable health risks from environmental pollution, according to experts from the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). A report published by the two organisations, 'Children's health and environment: a review of evidence,' says that up to 40 per cent of the global burden of disease attributable to environmental factors is estimated to affect children below the age of five. Children are especially vulnerable for a number of reasons according to the report: as developing organisms, they are particularly sensitive to the long-term consequences of early exposure; they are uniquely susceptible to specific chemicals; they are exposed to substances in their environment through picking things up and putting them in their mouths; and they have a higher uptake of potentially toxic substances because in proportion to their body weight they breathe, eat and drink more than adults. In addition, children have no choice about the factors they are exposed to. 'Children are at risk of exposure to more than 15,000 synthetic chemicals, almost all developed in the last 50 years, and to a variety of physical agents, such as polluted outdoor and indoor air, road traffic, contaminated food and water, unsafe buildings, contaminants in toys, radiation and environmental tobacco smoke,' explained EEA executive director Domingo Jiménez Beltrán. He added that the spread of disorders such as asthma and cancer, which could be associated with environmental factors, is reaching unacceptably high levels. Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström welcomed the report as a contribution to the preparation of policy responses on the issue. 'The European Union is setting the issue of children's environment and health high on the political agenda. The link between environmental degradation and poor health is clearly established, but we need further research in order to improve our understanding of these complex issues,' she said.