RA Etzel

Abstract

Healthy children play a crucial role in sustainable development. Currently, profound changes are taking place in the environments in which children are born, play, grow and learn. These changes pose risks to the health of children. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one third of the disease burden in developing countries is attributed to modifiable environmental factors, including indoor and outdoor air pollution, unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and hygiene. Children's exposure to these environmental pollutants whether in the form of high-level or low-level will lead to significant morbidity and mortality in short-term or even long-term in adulthood. Exposure of children to the environmental hazards mentioned in this paper is preventable. Paediatricians and healthcare workers should be aware of the associated adverse health effects and work together to reduce and finally eliminate these hazards.