Climate Change - A Hazard for Children’s Health
A new report by The Health Protection Agency has proved that climate change could affect children’s health.
The report concluded that the increase in the UK’s climate could increase children’s exposure to UV radiation, which may increase the risk of skin cancers. UV rays are also known to be potentially damaging to the eyes.
The report also brought to light that although the levels of air pollution have decreased by 51% between 1990 and 2005, air pollution is still a concern. Many children still live in so-called ‘hot-spots’ where air pollution remains dangerously high.
Children’s bodies are still developing and tend to be smaller than adults. This makes them particularly vulnerable to changes in the climate and pollution.
Professor Gary Coleman from the Agency said "Public health protection of children in the UK is very good and well developed. But future priorities will be driven by a number of issues, including climate change."
