31 October 2016: Almost 300 million, or one in seven, of the world’s children live in areas where outdoor air pollution levels are six or more times greater than international guidelines, according to a report published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The report, titled ‘Clear the Air for Children,’ shows for the first time the number of children exposed to outdoor pollution levels that exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and where they live.

Discussing the findings of the report, UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said that air pollution: contributes to the deaths of approximately 600,000 children under five every year; threatens millions more daily; harms children’s developing lungs; and crosses the blood-brain barrier, possibly causing permanent damage to developing brains.

The report confirms that two billion children live in areas where outdoor air pollution exceeds WHO air quality guidelines.

The report confirms that two billion children live in areas where outdoor air pollution, caused by, inter alia, vehicle emissions, heavy fossil fuel use, and dust and waste burning, exceeds WHO air quality guidelines. South Asia has the greatest number of children living in these areas, followed by Africa and the East Asia and Pacific region. The study also looks at indoor pollution due to the use of coal and wood for cooking and heating. Both outdoor and indoor air pollution are linked to pneumonia and other respiratory diseases, accounting for almost one in 10 deaths of children under five. Children are more susceptible to air pollution since their lungs, brains and immune systems are still developing, and they breathe faster than adults, taking in more air relative to their body weight.

The findings come ahead of UNFCCC COP 22, convening in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 7-18 November 2016, where UNICEF will call on world leaders to take “urgent action” to protect children from air pollution by: reducing pollution to meet WHO global air quality guidelines through decreasing fossil fuel combustion and investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources; increasing children’s access to healthcare; minimizing children’s exposure to pollution sources by locating factories away from schools and playgrounds and using cleaner cookstoves; and monitoring air pollution and increasing knowledge regarding its causes. [UNICEF Press Release] [UN Press Release] [Publication: Clear the Air for Children]