For many reasons, children are likely to be more vulnerable than adults to the effects of environmental contaminants. The resource also reported that the children all over the world are the greatest victims of environmental degradation, despite the efforts made over the past ten years in improving both children's well-being and the environment. The diseases largely influenced by this environmental degradation are diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, the two of the leading causes of child mortality.

Another shocking statistics showed that more than three million children under five die each year from environment-related causes and conditions. This makes the environment one of the most critical contributors to the global toll of more than ten million child deaths annually, as well as a very important factor in the health and well-being of their mothers.

Polluted indoor and outdoor air, contaminated water, lack of adequate sanitation, toxic hazards, disease vectors, ultraviolet radiation, and degraded ecosystems are all important environmental risk factors for children, and in most cases for their mothers as well. Particularly in developing countries, environmental hazards and pollution are a major contributor to childhood deaths, illnesses and disability from acute respiratory disease, diarrhoeal diseases, physical injuries, poisonings, insect-borne diseases and perinatal infections. Childhood death and illness from causes such as poverty and malnutrition are also associated with unsustainable patterns of development and degraded urban or rural environments.

However, according to WHO, in many cases, low-cost solutions for environment and health problems exist. For instance, simple filtration and disinfection of water at the household level dramatically improves the microbial quality of water, and reduces the risk of diarrhoeal disease at low cost. Improved stoves reduce exposures to indoor air pollution. Better storage and safe use of chemicals at community level reduces exposures to toxic chemicals, especially among toddlers, who explore, touch and taste the products found at home. Personal protection from malaria through the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets has a proven track record of saving lives, particularly of children's.

Environmental health issues such as these need complete awareness from all of us. Education is also key, WHO said, mothers who receive the information need to understand the environmental risks present in their homes. Communities likewise should be better equipped to take appropriate action to reduce or eliminate exposure.

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