2023-06-28-世界卫生组织-HECA_-_Newsletter_May-June_2023_7页_172kb

Children's Environmental Health International Initiatives Summary

Core Content

This document compiles recent international initiatives, research findings, and news related to children's environmental health, focusing on the impact of water, air pollution, chemicals, climate change, and other environmental factors on child health. It includes reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and other global health and environmental bodies, highlighting the urgent need for policy and intervention to protect children from environmental risks.

Key Topics and Findings

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

• WHO Report (2023):
  • Half of the global population lacks access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), contributing to 1.4 million preventable deaths annually.
  • Among children under five, WASH-related issues caused 395,000 deaths and 37 million DALYs in 2019.
  • Diarrhea and acute respiratory infections were the leading causes.
  • Progress in WASH services has been uneven and insufficient, requiring stronger global investment.

Air Pollution

• Ambient PM2.5 and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP):
  • Short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) increases the risk of VAP in pediatric ICU patients, even when levels are below national standards.
• Ozone Exposure and Emergency Department Visits:
  • Intra-day exposure to ozone leads to increased emergency department visits (PEDVs) among children within 48 hours, emphasizing the need for hourly air quality standards.
• Wildfire Smoke and Health:
  • Wildfire smoke in the Pacific Northwest is linked to higher respiratory-related hospital admissions in children.
  • In Alberta, Canada, wildfires have forced evacuations and caused health issues, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
• Lead Paint Exposure:
  • Lead paint is a significant source of lead exposure for children, particularly in polluted areas.
  • Soil and vegetable samples in Baiyin city showed high lead concentrations, with vegetables being a major contributor to non-carcinogenic risk.
  • WHO and UNEP recommend strict compliance and enforcement of lead paint laws to protect children.

Chemicals and Pesticides

• PFAS Exposure During Pregnancy:
  • Gestational exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is associated with higher childhood BMI z-scores and risk of overweight/obesity.
• Bisphenol and Phthalate Exposure:
  • Fetal exposure to bisphenols and phthalates may impair lung function and increase asthma risk, though the association was not strong in all trimesters.
  • BPS, a substitute for BPA, showed some negative effects on lung function.

Climate Change

• Health Impacts of Rising Temperatures:
  • Climate change is projected to cause over 9 million deaths annually by the end of the century.
  • Vulnerable populations, including children, face heightened risks from extreme weather events and environmental degradation.
  • In coastal Bangladesh, rising sea levels and salinity have led to severe reproductive health issues among women.
• El Niño and Viral Disease Spread:
  • WHO warns of increased spread of viral diseases like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya due to El Niño weather patterns.
• Climate Change and Domestic Violence:
  • A study found a 6.3% increase in domestic violence incidents in South Asian countries for every 1°C rise in temperature.
  • India showed the highest increase in abuse with a 1°C rise linked to 8% more physical violence and 7.3% more sexual violence.

Policy and Legal Actions

• Right to a Healthy Environment:
  • Iceland is leading discussions to recognize the right to a healthy environment as a legal principle across the Council of Europe.
• Legal Compensation for Air Pollution Victims:
  • The Paris Administrative Court ordered the French government to compensate families affected by air pollution-related illnesses like bronchiolitis and ear infections.

Main Conferences and Meetings

• 35th Annual ISEE Conference (2023):
  • Held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from September 17–21, 2023.
• 11th International Conference on Children's Health and the Environment (2023):
  • Took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from October 27–27, 2023.

Media Highlights

• Dying Glaciers as Tourist Attractions:
  • The Pastoruri glacier in Peru is being promoted as a "last-chance tourism" site due to climate change.
• French Government Ordered to Compensate Victims:
  • The Paris Administrative Court ruled that the French government is responsible for pollution-related health issues in children.

Key Recommendations

• Invest in WASH Services:
  • Improve access to clean water and sanitation to reduce child mortality and morbidity.
• Implement Stricter Air Quality Standards:
  • Establish hourly air quality standards to better protect children from pollutants like ozone and PM2.5.
• Enforce Lead Paint Laws:
  • Governments should prioritize compliance and enforcement of lead paint regulations, especially in schools and child-centric areas.
• Address PFAS and Chemical Exposure:
  • Monitor and limit exposure to PFAS, bisphenols, and phthalates during pregnancy and early childhood.
• Promote the Right to a Healthy Environment:
  • Legal recognition of this right can drive environmental protection and enable lawsuits related to health impacts.
• Combat Climate Change:
  • Address climate-related health risks, including rising sea levels, extreme weather, and increased disease transmission.

Conclusion

The document underscores the critical role of environmental factors in children's health, emphasizing the need for global cooperation, stronger policies, and targeted interventions to mitigate risks from water, air pollution, chemicals, and climate change. It highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations and the importance of integrating environmental health into public health strategies.