Each year, air pollution costs the lives of 1.7 million children under the age of 5, according to the world health organization, published on Monday. Unsafe water, lack of sanitation, poor hygiene practices are the causes of high mortality.

"Environmental pollution is deadly - especially for young children," said Dr. Margaret Chan, who Director-General, in his statement. "Their immune systems and smaller body and respiratory system, make them particularly vulnerable to dirty air and water."

Infants exposed to indoor or outdoor air pollution, including secondhand smoke, have an increased risk of pneumonia in children and an increased risk of developing chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. There is also an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.

More than 90% of the world's population breathe air that violates guidelines for quality assurance established by the who. The growth of electrical and electronic waste is also a problem, according to the report. If not disposed of properly, the waste can expose children to the effects of toxins that can harm the intellect and cause attention deficit, lung damage and cancer.

"We are all responsible for reducing the level of environmental pollution," said the Professor. "This will require changes in society, such as improving pollution monitoring, and whereas, the true long-term economic cost of pollution when assessing the value of measures to reduce pollution of the environment."
sections: Society