Toxic Air Threatens Children’s Lives Across East Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF Warns
Published: February 6, 2025
New York: Children across East Asia and the Pacific are facing a serious threat to their health from toxic air pollution, a new report from UNICEF has warned.
The report, titled “Toxic Air: The Invisible Killer,” found that nearly 200 million children under the age of 5 in the region are exposed to levels of air pollution that are at least six times higher than the international guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Toxic air is an invisible killer, but it is one of the most serious threats to children’s health in the region,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific. “Every year, millions of children die from respiratory infections and other health problems caused by exposure to air pollution.”
The report found that the main sources of air pollution in East Asia and the Pacific include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and power generation. In many cities, air pollution levels exceed the WHO guidelines by more than 10 times.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Exposure to air pollution can cause a range of health problems in children, including respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
The report calls for urgent action to reduce air pollution in East Asia and the Pacific. The report recommends that governments implement policies to reduce emissions from industrial, transportation, and power generation sectors. It also calls for investments in clean energy and renewable energy sources.
“We need to act now to protect children from the devastating effects of air pollution,” said Gough. “Every child has the right to breathe clean air and to live in a healthy environment.”
Key Findings of the Report:
- Nearly 200 million children under the age of 5 in East Asia and the Pacific are exposed to levels of air pollution that are at least six times higher than the international guidelines set by the WHO.
- The main sources of air pollution in East Asia and the Pacific include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and power generation.
- Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.
- Exposure to air pollution can cause a range of health problems in children, including respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease, and cancer.
- The report calls for urgent action to reduce air pollution in East Asia and the Pacific, including implementing policies to reduce emissions from industrial, transportation, and power generation sectors, and investing in clean energy and renewable energy sources.
Toxic air threatens children’s lives across East Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF warns
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