Pre-reading questions:
- Do you agree that having a dirty environment is bad to our health? Please explain your answer.
- How can you help in keeping the environment clean?
World Health Organization states that every year, almost 1.7 million children aged 5 and below die due to pollution. The most common causes of child deaths are diarrhea due to unsafe drinking water, lung diseases caused by air pollution and secondhand smoke, malaria and pneumonia. As early as one month old, these kids are being exposed to pollutants, making them vulnerable as they grow older. Both indoor and outdoor pollution impacts a lot on a child’s developing body and health.
Climate change, the growth of toxic wastes and different lifestyles also contribute to the reasons why children get sick. But WHO says that it is not just about the pollution. They encourage everyone to be responsible in reducing the environmental pollution, like properly disposing wastes and discontinuing cigarette habits. People should practice good sanitation and proper nutrition to prevent the spread of diseases.
Vocabulary:
state – to express in words
pollutant – something that causes pollution
vulnerable – easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally
impact – to have a strong effect on something or someone
prevent – to stop something from happening
Comprehension Questions:
- How many children die yearly according to WHO?
- Why do these children die each year?
- What other factors contribute to child sickness?
- What does WHO advise everyone to do?
Express Your Opinion:
- How has the world changed since you were a child?
- Is recycling a good practice to lessen land pollutants? Please explain your answer.
- Pollution has gotten worse because people lack discipline.