Why that air you breath is likely to kill you

Pollution accounts for nearly one in four of all deaths worldwide, a United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report reveals.

The report titled “Towards a Pollution-Free Planet” indicates that the situation is so bad, both rural and urban populations are affected and there is need for urgent action.

The report released on Thursday at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi observes that 12.6 million people die annually because of a barrage of human health problems and widespread destruction of key ecosystems.

It points out that air pollution alone kills 6.5 million people, the world’s 50 biggest dump sites threaten the lives of another 64 million, and 600,000 children annually suffer brain damage due to the toxic effects of lead in paint.

“Even exposure to low levels of chemical pollution can create a cocktail with complicated effects on the body that build up year by year,” says the report.

While releasing the report, Erik Solheim, Head of UNEP, called for urgent action to stem the problem.

Notably, the most vulnerable people are children whose mental and physical development can be stunted by exposure to pollution during their first 1,000 days.

The poor who rely on functioning ecosystems or work in the world’s dirtiest jobs to earn a living bear the greatest burden.

“The effect on the environment is equally dire. Our seas already contain 500 “dead zones” with too little oxygen to support marine life,” he said.

The report says more than 80 per cent of the world’s wastewater is released into the environment without treatment, poisoning the crop fields and rivers that provide drinking water to 300 million people.

Although some forms of pollution have receded, thanks to improved regulation, technology, public awareness and action spurred by international agreements, unsustainable consumption and production practices threaten to undo all gains.

Based on the report, UN Environment Assembly will next month host a global conference in Nairobi to discuss the path towards a pollution-free planet.

Sustainable development

The third UN Environment Assembly to be held from December 4 to 6 will bring together governments, business leaders, civil society and other stakeholders to share ideas and commit to action against pollution.

The assembly world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment will use the opportunity to take stock of the latest developments in environmental policy and action.

Mr Solheim said sustainable development is now the only form of development that makes any sense.

“The energy revolution, increased mobilisation around climate change, and the push from governments, businesses and cities toward greener and more sustainable development are all game changers,” said Solheim.

Of the tens of thousands of chemicals on the market, relatively few have been thoroughly evaluated to determine whether they cause adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Among other effects are the open waste dumps and burning affects lives, health and livelihoods, as well as soil chemistry and nutrition.

Excessive exposure and inappropriate use of pesticides affects human health especially women and children.

The report notes that there are many other negative effects of chemicals that are still to be fully assessed including the  long-term exposure to pesticides on human health, biodiversity and ecosystems.