More than 13 million people die every year due to exposure to environmental risk factors. These include air and water pollution, chemicals in the environment, pesticides, and ultraviolet radiation.
“Climate change is making this situation worse,” said Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization.
Risk of serious diseases
In an interview with UN News in Nairobi, Kenya, during the closing of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly on Friday, she mentioned that she was particularly involved in the resolution on air quality.
“More than 99% of the world's population breathes air that does not meet levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Many diseases, such as lung cancer, asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, and even heart attacks, are linked to this exposure to toxic substances.” The air we breathe. This decision and this work are being implemented jointly between the World Health Organization and the Environment Organization.”
According to the expert, 7 million premature deaths are recorded annually due to poor air quality.
The decision was supported by Brazil
The resolution entitled “Strengthening regional cooperation to improve air quality globally” was approved on the last day of the Unea-6 conference.
7 million premature deaths are recorded annually due to poor air quality
Brazilian diplomacy highlighted the text as one of its priorities at the conference. Brazil's Minister of Urban Environment and Environmental Quality, Adalberto Maluf, stated that the country proposes to create a “regional network for cooperation and the promotion of joint projects.”
Maria Neira stressed that avoiding exposure to risk factors that come from the environment brings benefits to human health, but also to “the environment, biodiversity, ecosystems, society and the economy of our society.”
Among other topics discussed at Unea-6 that have health implications, negotiations to end plastic pollution and decisions on chemicals were highlighted.
