EUROPE: Europeans, especially children, will face new health dangers from air and water pollution once the region emerges from its current economic downturn, according to a report issued yesterday.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) said higher rates of cancer, allergies and intestinal diseases were likely unless governments work closer together to ensure that growth is not pursued regardless of its ecological effects.
The eight former communist states among 10 countries due to enter the EU next year, as well as other ex-Soviet neighbours to the east, would be the worst hit as they struggled to adapt to the challenges of membership.
According to the Copenhagen-based EEA, children were already at increased risk "from some cancers and birth defects, as well as allergies, asthma, brain damage and behavioural disorders".