Recently published World Health Organization (WHO) data released on June 13 showed that improving the environment could prevent more than one third of diseases and save 13 million lives across the world each year.

The data also stated more than 10 percent of deaths are due to two environmental risk factors: Unsafe water, which includes poor sanitation and hygiene, and indoor air pollution due to cooking.

Amel Al-Naggar, who is a chemist and general coordinator at the Saudi Environmental Society at the Prince Majed Development Center, called for new plans to help prevent an increasing number of deaths due to unhealthy environments.

Al-Naggar’s main concern is children under the age of five, who make up 74 percent of individuals dying due to diarrhea and lower respiratory infections. She added that low-income countries suffer the most from poor environmental health factors. In its report, WHO also revealed that people in low-income countries die earlier than people living in high-income countries.

Al-Naggar said that with every two people dying in car accidents around the globe, a mother and 20 children die from some sort of preventable illness. “Air pollution from lead, food poisoning from mercury and other chemicals would, on a long term basis, lead to negative health effects such as sterility, miscarriages and giving birth to babies that have imperfections,” she said, adding that continuous exposure to such chemicals also cause side effects like nephropathy and schizophrenia.

Indoor pollution, especially caused by people using old ovens that produce carbon dioxide, is something that annually kills one million children. Health experts advise people to use proper ventilation systems and fans to clear the air when cooking.

“We just need to follow certain procedures to decrease and prevent deaths,” Al-Naggar told Arab News. She added that in order to prevent illnesses it was necessary to filter and sterilize water, cover water tanks to prevent insects from laying eggs, and ensure homes are properly ventilated.

“We also need more awareness programs dedicated to members of the public. And something special offered to mothers in particular,” she said, adding that there is a need for further long-term studies of children and their health in relation to the environment.

Al-Naggar further said that there is a need for further cooperation between national and international decision makers. This, she said, along with communicating with all organizations and families, is a must in order for people to be aware and be able to deal with environmental dangers.

According to Susanne Weber-Mosdorf, WHO assistant director-general for Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments, “It is important to quantify the burden of disease from unhealthy environments. This information is important in helping countries select the appropriate interventions.”