25% of children in Bangalore are exposed to environmental diseases

BELGAUM: On account of huge pollution in the environment, 25 percent of children in Bangalore are exposed to environmental deceases hence healthy environment for children is need of the hour said Dr Paramesh, director, pediatric respiratory physician and environmental pediatric medical scientist, Bangalore.

Dr Paramesh, during his oration lecture on the subject ‘Shape the future of life; healthy environment for children’ at the 27th south zone and 32nd Karnataka State Annual Conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics at Dr BS Jirge Auditorium, advocated the point that children need a safe, fair and healthy world. He noted that, rapid urbanization, globalization, haphazard industrialization and population explosion have had very bad impact on children. “There is pollution of air, water, milk, food, and soil. Children in the industrialized world are exposed to harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides. Skin rashes, cough, sore throat, burning sensation in eyes, wheezing in young age groups in Bangalore is on the rise, opined Dr Paramesh. He also said, children living in urban areas suffer more from environmental pollution than rural children.


“Today, children are over exposed to heavy schoolbags, computer, internet, cellphones. Excessive exposure to television and eating while watching TV has an adverse effect on the digestive system of children, and parents and the society need to address this issue immediately,” said Dr Paramesh. He also lamented that, 81 per cent of the Indian rural population has colour TVs, mobile phones but don’t have toilets —lack of which can be a potential risk. He also referred to certain international studies with facts and figures which have proved that soft drinks contain pesticides.

He called on the policy makers of the country to take serious stock of the effect of environment on children and devise immediate policies like green cities, green schools and green fuel. He further said that the need of the hour is massive awareness. He also called on citizens to stick to the basics of ‘each one teach one’ and plant trees for a better future.