5,000 Children Die Daily From Polluted Food, Water: WHO

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, May 27, 2002

5,000 Children Die Daily From Polluted Food, Water: WHO

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At least 5,000 children die daily of diseases caused by consuming water and food polluted with bacteria, according to a statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) available in Lagos on Sunday.

The alarming figure showed that children all over the world arethe greatest victims of environmental degradation despite the great strides made over the past 10 years in improving both children's well-being and the environment, the statement said.

Two of the leading causes of child mortality influenced by environmental degradation are diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, the document said.

It said almost one-third of the global disease burden could be attributed to environmental risk factors, but over 40 percent of the burden falls on children under five years old who account for only 10 percent of the world's population.

The WHO pointed out that a major contributing factor to these diseases is malnutrition affecting around 150 million children andundermining their immune systems.

Other major environmental problems directly affecting children include high levels of toxic chemicals as well as the degradation and depletion of natural resources, it said.

The WHO recommended increased national investment in earlier child-care focusing on the immediate environments of children, like homes, schools and communities.

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