The Effect Of Acid Rain On Natural Health

Environmental pollution can lower the pH of precipitation, creating acid rain. This type of acid precipitation can directly kill some organisms, like trees and fish, devastating ecosystems.

While impacts of acid rain on humans is not very dramatic, it can indirectly cause health problems, particularly lung issues. Acid rain has decreased since the late 1970s in North America, where tighter U.S. regulations have improved air quality.

Acid Rain

All rainwater has a slightly acidic pH level due to ambient levels of carbon dioxide in the air. Certain industrial pollutants, however, can decrease the pH excessively, causing it to pose a danger to the environment. Sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, for example, can have a dramatic effect on rainwater's pH.

Rain contaminated by these compounds changes the pH of water and soil, making them more acidic. Certain trees and fish have adapted to specific pH levels and changes in pH can kill them, leaving parts of forests, lakes and rivers devoid of life.

Direct Effect of Acid Rain on Humans

While acid tends to bring to mind the image of corrosive chemicals dissolving metals and other materials, acid precipitation does not have direct effects on human health. Acid rain does not have an acidic enough pH to burn human skin.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Swimming in an acidic lake or walking in an acidic puddle is no more harmful to people than swimming or walking in clean water." While acid rain cannot burn your skin, it is linked to several indirect health effects.

Indirect Effects of Acid Rain

Everything is connected in air quality. While acid rain cannot harm humans directly, the sulfur dioxide that creates it can cause health problems. Specifically, sulfur dioxide particles in the air can encourage chronic lung problems, like asthma and bronchitis.

Additionally, the nitrogen oxides that create acid rain promote the formation of ground-level ozone. While ozone high above the Earth helps block ultraviolet radiation, ground-level ozone promotes severe lung problems like chronic pneumonia and emphysema.

When acid rains fall at places located at higher altitudes, acid rains lead to thick acidic fog that hangs low, affecting visibility and causing irritation to eyes and nose. Acidic fog also affects trees and plants and causes their leaves to turn brown and wilt.

Apart from the effects of acid rain on air quality, acid rains also greatly affect environmental balance. Acid rain falling directly on trees and crops can harm them. Runoff from acid rain leaches minerals such as aluminum from soil, thereby decreasing its pH and making the soil acidic. Acidic soil is detrimental for the growth of crops and results in damaged harvests.

When the acidic runoff flows into lakes, rivers and seas, it disturbs the balance of these aquatic ecosystems and causes injury or even death of aquatic organisms. Imbalance in aquatic ecosystems has an adverse effect on fishing industry.

Environmental Successes

In some ways, the reduction of acid rain in the United States is one of the biggest successes of environmental policy. Since the 1970s, various laws have reduced the emission of sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides from power plants, including the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement of 1991.

The longest continuous rain-chemistry monitoring station in North America, the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forrest in New Hampshire, found that hydrogen ion concentration (pH) decreased by roughly 60 percent since the 1960s.

The EPA estimates that the reduction in the acid rain-producing emissions has saved $50 billion in health care costs. Despite the overall positive picture, some areas in New England are still recovering.

  

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Natural Health Experts Raise Concerns Over Dubai's Artificial Rain

Health experts are raising concern over the artificial rainfall being generated in Dubai. Officials in Dubai are using drones to artificially increase rainfall as the city grapples with oppressive heat, video this week shows.

The rainmaking technology, known as “cloud seeding,” was put into use as summer temperatures have surged past 120 degrees Fahrenheit in the United Arab Emirates city, the Independent reported.

Scientists have said the technology aims to make rain form more efficiently inside clouds and in doing so, make more water come down.

Drones are used to shoot electrical charges into clouds, causing them to clump together and trigger more rainfall.

Footage shared on Sunday by the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology showed the intense showers flooding roads in addition to flashes of lightning.

Rainmaking has become common in dry countries such as the United Arab Emirates, which typically only records four inches of rain a year, the Independent reported.

“The global water shortage is worsening in many parts of the world, so the demand for fresh water is increasing,” said Linda Zou, a professor at the UAE’s Khalifa University of Science and Technology. "Rainmaking has become common in dry countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Cloud seeding could be one of the methods that can contribute to alleviating the water problem.”

But natural health experts say, laudable as artificial rainfall may be, it comes with negative health implications. One of these is the uncertainty of targeting - Once you release these "seed", it is then up to nature to do the rest. There is a risk seeds will get carried by the wind and go off target. Then these seeds may produce rain in the place you don't need it, And the place you wanted it to rain remained dry.

 

Even more worrisome,  there is not enough time for test to effects of 'seeds’ - Most cloud seeding operations will use a chemical called silver iodide as the main ingredient for these 'seeds'. There are still many questions about how safe it is for long term exposure or consumption of this chemical for plants, animals, and humans. Health problems and environmental impact ranges from toxicities of excess silver iodide. Silver iodide causes respiratory and skin disorders too. It also causes renal and pulmonary lesions and also Argyria. Argyria is a situation where the discoloration of skin takes place.

However, the toxicity of silver and silver compounds (from silver iodide) was shown to be of low order in some studies. These findings likely result from the minute amounts of silver generated by cloud seeding, which are 100 times less than industry emissions into the atmosphere in many parts of the world, or individual exposure from tooth fillings.

There are  also the ecological side-effects. With the artificial production of rain, the lives of several animals will definitely be at stake. It’s not only the fauna but also the flora which has an equal risk too. Thus, all the living organisms are supposedly threatened too even though it is done for a common benefit.

 

  

 

 

  

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The Benefits Of Drinking Water (2)

 

Health Benefits to Kidneys

No More Kidney Stones

More and more people are developing kidney stones. Staying well hydrated can help prevent the formation of stones. Water dilutes salts and minerals that might otherwise concentrate in the kidneys and become stones. The kidneys serve important functions in the body like maintaining water levels, regulating blood pressure, and filtering waste. Watch your sodium intake if you are concerned about kidney stones. Sodium increases calcium levels in the urine. Drinking warm lemon water when you first get up in the morning is a healthy habit that benefits not just your kidneys but also your overall health. Urine pH affects the formation of kidney stones. Acidic urine promotes the formation of some types of stones, while alkaline urine encourages the formation of different stones. Citric acid and calcium citrate are protective against the formation of kidney stones. How do you know if you are drinking enough water to take good care of your kidneys? Your urine should be a pale yellow color. If it is darker, you may be dehydrated. If it is colorless, you may be overhydrated.

 

How Much Water Should You Drink?

Follow Some General Guidelines

Many people think you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. There really is no evidence to back that up, but it's an easy approximate amount to remember. The amount of water you should drink every day depends on a variety of factors including your weight, activity level, the weather, and how much you sweat. In reality, people meet their daily fluid requirements by drinking water and other beverages. We also get water from food that we eat. People get about 80% of their daily fluids from drinking water and other beverages. About 20% of total water comes from food. In general, an adult woman needs approximately 11 cups of total water per day from food and beverages. An adult man needs approximately 15 1/2 cups of total water per day. Caffeinated beverages have a slight diuretic effect. Of course if you are thirsty, you need to drink more fluids. Adequate hydration aids in weight loss and has numerous other healthy benefits.

Sources:

  

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The Health Benefits Of Drinking Water (1)

Drinking Water to Lose Weight

Water Helps You Slim Down

Drinking water benefits the body in a variety of ways. Sipping cold water increases your metabolism and can help with weight loss. The body has to expend more energy to increase temperature after drinking cold H₂O. This means you burn more calories. In one study, overweight young women were instructed to drink about 2 cups of cold water a half hour before breakfast, lunch, and dinner for eight weeks. By the end of the study, the women experienced weight loss, a lower body mass index, and improved body composition scores. Water also makes a great replacement for beverages that are high in sugar and calories like soft drinks and juice. Replace these beverages with water on the cool side to help your waistline.

Stay Energized with Water

H₂O Fights Fatigue

Mild dehydration has negative effects on mood and energy levels. About two-thirds of the human body is comprised of water, so dehydration affects most of the body's functions. In studies, dehydration has been associated with increased fatigue, anger, and confusion as well as mood problems and decreased vigor. You need to be well hydrated for your cells to work properly. Drinking water also helps maintain a healthy heart rate and blood pressure. You need adequate fluid to produce lymph, an important bodily fluid and component of the immune system. All systems of the body work better in a water-rich environment. Drink water steadily throughout the day to avoid dehydration. If you wait until you feel thirsty, you are probably already dehydrated. Try some lemon water if plain water is not appealing to you.

Fight Stress with Water

H₂O Improves Your Mood

Dehydration is known to contribute to stress. Fatigue, anger, negative mood, and cognitive problems all increase when you're dehydrated. Stay ahead of stress and sip water throughout the day. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times and drink some every half hour or hour during the day. You'll be less likely to get dehydrated and feel stressed. Remember, don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Thirst occurs when you're already dehydrated.

Work Out Better with H₂O

Drink Enough Water Before Activity

Adequate hydration is a boon to workouts. Drinking water helps you work out longer and avoid muscle cramps. Water helps lubricate joints in the body. Not sure how much water you need to drink while working out? That depends on a variety of factors including your weight, how much you sweat, your activity level, and the weather. However, a good rule of thumb is that you should drink 5 to 10 ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes while you exercise. Drink 2 to 2 1/2 cups of water every 2 hours prior to exercise to make sure you go into your workout well hydrated. If you sweat a lot, it may be a good idea to consume water that contains electrolytes (substances that the body needs to function properly, like sodium and potassium). Lemon water or water infused with other fruit flavors is also a good option to stay hydrated.

Boost Skin Health

Water Fights Wrinkles

Drinking adequate water helps plump up skin cells, which minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles so you look younger. Water also supports detoxification and helps flush toxins and impurities out of the body that dull your complexion. Stay well hydrated to support good circulation and blood flow, all of which will help your skin glow. If you don't like the taste of plain water, add a little lemon juice to make it more palatable. Vitamin C in citrus fruit is an antioxidant that fights skin-damaging free radicals and supports healthy collagen, a major component in skin. Along with drinking enough water, eat fruits and vegetables high in polyphenols and flavonoids to boost skin health. Sipping warm, vitamin C rich lemon water is believed to help you detoxify, which will help your skin glow.

Hydration Supports Digestion

Health Benefits for Your GI Tract

Water and fiber work together to keep you regular and avoid constipation. Water dilutes waste and helps eliminate toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. Water and fiber bulk up stools and make them easier to pass. Hydrate and make sure you're getting adequate fluids every day to stay regular. If you do become dehydrated, stools will become hard, dry, and more difficult to pass. Squeeze a little lemon juice into plain water to make it more palatable. Foods and beverages containing probiotics, like kombucha, are also a boon to digestive health. One of the side effects of consuming too much sodium or fiber without enough water is bloating. Drink more water or sip peppermint tea to eliminate bloating. Be extra mindful of taking in more fluids if you develop diarrhea. Significant dehydration and loss of important electrolytes may occur if diarrhea, vomiting, or both are present. The absorption of fluid and nutrients is decreased when diarrhea occurs. Severe cases of dehydration may require IV fluid replacement. 

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Higher Sun Exposure Reduces Multiple Sclerosis Risk

  Scientists said high sun exposure may lower the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). A new study published online March 7 in ‘Neurology,’ the American Academy of Neurology’s journal, found people who grew up in sunnier climates were 55 per cent less likely to develop MS.

Similarly, the study from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, found women who had more sun exposure in their lifetime had a 55 per cent lower risk of MS Multiple studies in the past had linked MS to low levels of vitamin D from sun rays.

A growing body of research however suggested that identifying and correcting vitamin D deficiencies early could aid in early treatment of the disease. MS is a condition which can affect the brain and/or spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be mild. The new study builds on previous research tying sun exposure on vitamin D levels to the debilitating disease for which there is no known cause or cure.

MS occurs twice as often in women than in men and people of Northern European descent have the highest risk, regardless of where they live, the ‘mailonline’ reported. MS wreaks havoc on the central nervous system causing weakness, pain and loss of motor control. According to the Multi-ple Sclerosis Foundation, northern states that are further from the equator and thus have less sun have double the rate of MS cases than southern states.

This was the first study to look at how differences in sun exposure duration and intensity throughout one’s lifetime are related to MS. Study author, Helen Tremblett, who has a PhD in pharmacoepidemiology, said: “We found that where a person lives and the ages at which they are exposed to the sun’s UV-B rays may play important roles in reducing the risk of MS.”

The study is based on data from 151 women with MS and 235 women of a similar age without MS. The participants represented a variety of climates and locations across the United States (US) and each filled out a survey about their summer, winter and lifetime sun exposure.

The women were divided into three groups, low, moderate and high UV-B ray exposure based on where they lived. In people with MS, the immune system attacks the protective myelin covering surrounding tissue in the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spine and optic nerves. Scar tissue forms around the nerve fibres in place of the damaged myelin and interferes with brain signals through the spinal cord.

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How Oil Spillage Is Killing Infants In Niger Delta

New research from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, has demonstrated for the first time how oil spills are increasing mortality rates among newborns in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria.

The new study by Prof. Roland Hodler and Research Assistant, Anna Breuderle, from the School of Economics and Political Science at the University of St. Gallen, found that of the 16,000 infants killed within the first month of their life in 2012, 70 per cent – that is around 11,000 infants – would have survived their first year in the absence of oil spills.

The study titled “The Effect of Oil Spills on Infant Mortality: Evidence from Nigeria” was published September 14, 2017, in Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute (CESifo) Working Paper Serie.

According to the study, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency recorded more than 6,600 oil spills from 2005 to 2015. Nearby oil spills increase neonatal mortality rate by 38 per cent per 1,000 live births.

Neonatal relates to the newborn and especially the human infant during the first month after birth. The researchers said shockingly, this corresponds to an increase by 100 per cent on the sample mean and these oil spills are the cause of an alarming human tragedy and the research calls for more attention to the issue from both the research community and the international public.

Earlier studies have associated oil spills in Nigeria to rise in cancer cases and low sperm count especially among local communities in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

The researchers noted: “In a recent study, we provide first-time evidence on the effects of onshore oil spills on neonatal and infant mortality as well as child health. The study combines two geo-coded data sets: First, the Nigerian Oil Spill Monitor provides information on date and location of oil spills registered by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency. Second, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) 2013 provides the complete birth histories and information on the survival of children for 23,364 Nigerian mothers, along with geo-codes of their place of residence. It also provides height and weight measurements for children under five years of age.

“Our study analyses mortality within different phases over the first year of life. We thereby focus on children born to mothers whose reported place of residence is within 10 km from an oil spill, which has occurred between 2005 and 2014. For identification of causal effects, the study compares siblings conceived before and after nearby oil spills.”

The study found that oil spills, which occurred within 10 km prior to a child’s conception, strongly increase the risk of mortality during the first month of life.

“Specifically, nearby oil spills increase the neonatal mortality rate by 38 deaths per 1,000 live births, which corresponds to an increase by 100 per cent on the sample mean. The effect of oil spills on infant mortality is also relatively large, but not statistically significant. The effect on neonatal mortality is higher for oil spills that occurred in closer proximity, and it is highly persistent over time: nearby oil spills which occurred up to five years in the past still affect the survival chances of children born today,” the researchers noted.

Also, they said that the effect of oil spills on neonatal mortality is independent of the family’s socio-economic status or the location.
The study also found some evidence that oil spills impair the health of surviving children.

“In particular, oil spills prior to conception increase the incidence of low weight-for-height, notably in the first year of life.”

The researchers concluded: “A calculation based on these findings suggests that oil spills, prior to conception, killed around 16,000 infants within the first month of their life in 2012. Of these, 70 per cent (around 11,000 infants) would have survived their first year in the absence of oil spills. While there are good reasons to believe that the exact figure may be different from this estimate (example, the true effect may have been underestimated due to the incomplete oil spill records), the findings point out that onshore oil spills in Nigeria are the cause of an alarming ongoing human tragedy. More attention to the problem by both the research community and the international public is warranted.”

Roland Hodler is a professor of economics at the School of Economics and Political Science, University of St. Gallen. Holder said: “The oil companies are one culprit. They are directly responsible for oil spills that result from the lack of maintenance of pipelines and other oil infrastructure. In addition, their indifference towards the local population is one reason for some acts of sabotage. The Nigerian government is another culprit. It fails to properly regulate and control the oil companies as well as to prevent oil theft and sabotage. The only way to stop this ongoing human tragedy is that both the oil companies and the Nigerian government start caring about the environment and the local population particular rather than just about profits and personal enrichment.”

Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that exposure to hydrocarbons in the environment and to particulate matter in the air can have severe adverse effects on human health, whereby unborn and newborn children are particularly vulnerable.
Story By JOHNSON OKPUSA OBASI

Vote for the Nigeria Natural Health Online at the 2017 Health Fitness Blogs Awards

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Again, NEMA Warns Of Flooding In Parts Of Nigeria

The National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Metrological Agency on Wednesday called on state governments to prepare for more flooding following recent signals from the Niger Basin Authority.

The Director-General,   NEMA, Mr Yunusa Maihaja, and the DG of NiMet, Prof Dani Mashi, gave the warning in Abuja during a flood coordination meeting with government agencies, United Nations agencies and others.

The states that may be affected are Anambra, Delta, Rivers, Imo and Bayelsa, among others.

Maihaja said the meeting was organised to support planning and information sharing on priority areas of need to respond to the needs of affected communities.

He said 27 States had experienced devastating flood disaster, noting that the agency would do all it could to prepare Nigerians for the imminent flooding.

He said, “Here again is another alert of an emergency warning from the Niger Basin Authority and confirmed by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency of the rising water levels in Niger which has been at ‘Orange Alert level’ consistently for the past seven days.

“The Orange Alert is the second most severe category in measurement. The National Emergency Management Agency is hereby alerting the general public, particularly those resident along the River Niger and its tributaries in Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Rivers and Bayesla states of very high risk of catastrophic flooding in coming days and weeks.

“In the light of the above, the agency is therefore calling on the general public in the aforementioned areas to move to higher grounds and the respective state governments to engage in sensitisation, evacuation and preparation for possible flooding.”

He said the agency was ready for any emergency as its emergency response teams had been placed on high alert in the areas to coordinate all possible emergency response activities and assist relevant stakeholders for effective evaluation of the communities.

In his comment, Mashi recalled that in March, NiMET in its Seasonal Rainfall Prediction predicted high intensity rainfall in parts of the country with advice on adequate preparedness to relevant agencies.

He urged NEMA to increase its sensitisation programme, especially in flood-prone states and called on state governments to enforce relocation of those in flood-prone areas.

Nigeria Natural Health Online your No1 Natural Health Blog in Africa, has been nominated for 2017 Fitness Health Blogs Awards. We need you to Vote for us in order to bring this award home.

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Plastic In Water Could Damage Body Organs

A new environmental study, performed by State University of New York and the University of Minnesota, says there are microscopic fibers of plastic in our water systems and we ingest them with every sip.

According to a report by the Sacramento Bee, the researchers examined 159 water samples from many nations across five continents, and found that 83 percent of the samples contained plastic fibers. In the US, 94 percent of samples were found to contain the nasty fibers.

The US samples were reportedly taken from several important locations, including the US Congressional buildings in Washington, DC; Trump Tower in New York; and ironically, the Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters, also in Washington.

Scientists claim that these plastic fibers may also contain toxic chemicals that are released into your system as they are digested. The smallest particles, deemed “nanoparticles,” would also be able to penetrate your body’s cells and cause internal damage, the scientists claim.

“If the fibers are there, it is possible that the nanoparticles are there too that we can’t measure,” Anne Marie Mahon, from the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, told the Guardian. “Once they are in the nanometer range they can really penetrate a cell and that means they can penetrate organs, and that would be worrying.”

As to where these particles are coming from, scientists can’t really tell. One possible explanation says the fibers come from synthetic materials in our clothes, as washing machines reportedly flush about 700,000 fibers into the environment, according to one study by Plymouth University in the United Kingdom.

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"Prepare For Killer Heat Waves" - United Nations Warns

The world should prepare for further heat waves this year, the UN weather agency officials said early this week in Geneva.

Parts of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the U.S. have already seen record temperatures for May and June.

The Pakistani city, Turbat, recorded 54 degrees in late May, the hottest temperature ever seen in Asia, according to the World Meteorological Agency (WMO).

The world record of 56.7 degrees was set in Death Valley in the U.S. in 1913.

“The concern now is that we are close to that record,” WMO meteorologist Omar Baddour told a press conference.

“According to the data we have, we expect to have other heat waves in many parts of the world,” he said.

According to the WMO, many heat-related deaths could be prevented if authorities issue public warnings; make sure that vulnerable populations are sheltered; and prepare hospitals for an increase in patients.

In 2003, a heat wave in Europe caused 70,000 deaths, while a short spell of extreme heat in India and Pakistan in 2015 killed 4,000 people.

India has started issuing health advisories and has drawn up effective action plans in recent years, WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis said.

According to official U.S. and European data, between January and May, average global temperatures were the second highest on record, with the record only having been set in 2016, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The 2016 heat spike was fuelled by the El Nino, a weather phenomenon caused by unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean.

This year, weather experts do not expect an El Nino.

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How Pollution Kills 1.7 Million Children Each Year - WHO

Polluted environments take the lives of 1.7 million children under the age of five, according to two new reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Director-General of WHO, Dr Margaret Chan, while presenting the reports, said unhealthy environments were responsible for one-quarter of children deaths.

The reports reviewed the threats from pollutants such as second-hand smoke, ultraviolet radiation, unsafe water and e-waste. “A polluted environment is a deadly one – particularly for young children. “Their developing organs and immune systems, and smaller bodies and airways, make them especially vulnerable to dirty air and water,” Chan said.

In one of the two reports, ‘Inheriting a Sustainable World: Atlas on Children’s Health and the Environment’, WHO announced that many of the common causes of death among children aged between one month and five years of age are preventable with safe water and clear cooking fuels. These common causes of infant death include diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia, according to the UN health agency. “The main pollutant is in the air, resulting in 570,000 deaths each year among children under five years old. “Air pollution can stunt brain development and reduce lung function and trigger asthma. “In the longer-term, exposure to air pollution can increase the child’s risk of contracting heart disease, a stroke or cancer,” the report stated. Among other actions described in the other report: ‘Don’t pollute my future!’ WHO recommended measures to counter the impact of the environment on children’s health. The UN health agency recommended reducing air pollution, improving safe water and sanitation, and protecting pregnant women and building safer environments. Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, called for measures to protect children from the impacts of exposure to polluted environments. “Investing in the removal of environmental risks to health, such as improving water quality or using cleaner fuels, will result in massive health benefits,” Neira said. One of the emerging environmental threats to children is electronic and electrical waste, according to the second WHO report. Appliances such as old mobile phones that are improperly recycled “expose children to toxins which can lead to reduced intelligence, attention deficit, lung damage, and cancer,” the UN agency reported. At the current rate, the amount of such waste is expected to increase by 19 per cent between 2014 and 2018, up to 50 million metric tonnes. The reports also pointed out harmful chemicals that work themselves through the food chain. These include fluoride, lead and mercury, as well as the impact that climate change and ultraviolet rays have on children’s development.

Polluted environments take the lives of 1.7 million children under the age of five, according to two new reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Director-General of WHO, Dr Margaret Chan, while presenting the reports, said unhealthy environments were responsible for one-quarter of children deaths. The reports reviewed the threats from pollutants such as second-hand smoke, ultraviolet radiation, unsafe water and e-waste. “A polluted environment is a deadly one – particularly for young children. “Their developing organs and immune systems, and smaller bodies and airways, make them especially vulnerable to dirty air and water,” Chan said. In one of the two reports, ‘Inheriting a Sustainable World: Atlas on Children’s Health and the Environment’, WHO announced that many of the common causes of death among children aged between one month and five years of age are preventable with safe water and clear cooking fuels. These common causes of infant death include diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia, according to the UN health agency. “The main pollutant is in the air, resulting in 570,000 deaths each year among children under five years old. “Air pollution can stunt brain development and reduce lung function and trigger asthma. “In the longer-term, exposure to air pollution can increase the child’s risk of contracting heart disease, a stroke or cancer,” the report stated. Among other actions described in the other report: ‘Don’t pollute my future!’ WHO recommended measures to counter the impact of the environment on children’s health. The UN health agency recommended reducing air pollution, improving safe water and sanitation, and protecting pregnant women and building safer environments. Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, called for measures to protect children from the impacts of exposure to polluted environments. “Investing in the removal of environmental risks to health, such as improving water quality or using cleaner fuels, will result in massive health benefits,” Neira said. One of the emerging environmental threats to children is electronic and electrical waste, according to the second WHO report. Appliances such as old mobile phones that are improperly recycled “expose children to toxins which can lead to reduced intelligence, attention deficit, lung damage, and cancer,” the UN agency reported. At the current rate, the amount of such waste is expected to increase by 19 per cent between 2014 and 2018, up to 50 million metric tonnes. The reports also pointed out harmful chemicals that work themselves through the food chain. These include fluoride, lead and mercury, as well as the impact that climate change and ultraviolet rays have on children’s development.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/polluted-environments-kill-1-7-million-children-yearly/

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