Environment behind nearly quarter of global deaths - WHO

GENEVA - One in four deaths worldwide are due to environmental factors like air, water and soil pollution, as well as unsafe roads and workplace stress, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday.

Extreme change of environmental factors leads to unpredictable increase of deaths.

An estimated 12.6 million people died in 2012 as a result of living and working in unhealthy environments, 23% of all deaths reported globally, according to the new study.

"If countries do not take actions to make environments where people live and work healthy, millions will continue to become ill and die too young," warned WHO chief Margaret Chan in a statement.

Environmental risk factors like pollution, climate change, ultraviolet radiation and chemical exposure have been the reasons why people cumulatively acquire health problems and die young.

As many as 8.2 million of the deaths could be blamed on air pollution, including exposure to second-hand smoke, which is responsible for heart disease, cancers and chronic respiratory disease, the report said.

As also reported, among the deaths attributed to environmental factors were 1.7 million caused by "unintentional injuries," including road accidents.

The report also counted 894,000 diarrhoeal disease deaths that many are linked to pollution and unsafe drinking water.

The reports found most environmentally- linked deaths occurred in Southeast Asia and the least affected region was the Americans.

The WHO said that better environmental management can prevent the deaths of children under five, who are especially prone to direct sickness to serious illnesses arising from respiratory infections and diarrhea.

"There's an urgent need for investment in strategies to reduce environmental risks in our cities, homes and workplaces," said Maria Neira, WHO's public health chief.

"Such investments can significantly reduce the rising worldwide burden of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, injuries and cancers, and lead to immediate savings in healthcare costs," she said.

"Our lives depends on a healthy planet" WHO Director, Dr. Maria Neira