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Earth Sciences
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Working with UNICEF to protect children’s health globally

18 November 2024
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A road scene showing buses, cars and scooters emitting pollution

We’ve joined UNICEF’s Children’s Environmental Health Collaborative (CEHC) to help protect children from the harmful consequences of air pollution on a global scale.

The Collaborative involves international organisations working together to protect child health and development from the impact of climate change and environmental degradation.  

Through joining the Collaborative, we’ve also become a UN partner. 

Our membership was spearheaded by Claire Horwell, Professor of Geohealth from our Department of Earth Sciences. 

Protection from pollution 

Professor Horwell’s research focuses on the health hazards of natural and industrial mineral dusts and on helping communities prepare for, and protect themselves from, volcanic emissions and other particulate pollution crises. 

Professor Horwell is the founder of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network and is Principal Investigator of the FACE-UP project (Factors Affecting Childhood Exposures to Urban Particulates) which works to reduce the exposure of urban children to air pollution. 

Through these associations, Professor Horwell is contributing to the creation of information videos and leaflets to help families protect themselves from air pollution. 

She said that being part of the Collaborative should help ensure that these toolkits - and the research that underpins them - will be accessible globally via UNICEF’s CEHC knowledge library. 

Amplifying research reach 

Professor Horwell said: “Becoming a partner of the Collaborative gives us the opportunity to amplify our work. 

“It will be amazing to have a global home for the information products we produce where everyone in the world can easily access them.

“Being a member of the Collaborative also paves the way for us to formalise collaborations and explore further opportunities for us to support UNICEF on air pollution and children’s health.” 

Abheet Solomon, UNICEF's Senior Advisor on Environment, added: “Durham University joining the Children's Environmental Health Collaborative brings invaluable academic and research excellence. 

“Their commitment to addressing knowledge gaps and educating future leaders will strengthen global efforts to protect children’s health and wellbeing from environmental hazards, including those linked to climate change.” 

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