Burden Of disease increased by environmental degradation; 'Environment Matters 2005' highlights trend in developing countries.

0 Comments | M2 Presswire, October, 2005

M2 PRESSWIRE-6 October 2005-WORLD BANK: Burden Of disease increased by environmental degradation; 'Environment Matters 2005' highlights trend in developing countries(C)1994-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD RDATE:05102005 WASHINGTON - Close to one-fifth of the burden of disease in developing countries can be attributed to environmental risks - with unsafe water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene as leading risk factors, causing 1.7 million premature deaths per year; and urban air pollution estimated to cause about 800,000 premature deaths annually, according to the World Bank's annual publication, Environment Matters, released today.

"Poor people are the first to suffer from a polluted environment," said Warren Evans, Director of the Bank's Environment...