Air quality 'is contributing to infant deaths in Europe'

Pollution in the air is a significant factor in the deaths of one in every 2000 babies in Europe, according to a new report by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The research suggested that particles emitted by tobacco smoke, vehicle exhausts, burning fuel and dampness are all contributing to respiratory diseases in the continent and children's exposure to them is "unacceptably high".

As many as one to five in every 1000 babies die from such illnesses in certain countries and scientists believe it is because young people are especially vulnerable to the man-made particulate matter (PM) that is produced by energy production and other activities.

The study revealed that people - both young and old - who are exposed to PM can suffer from asthma, allergies, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders as a result of these air quality issues.

In the US, a group of environmental organisations came out on top when the Supreme Court decided against reviewing a previous decision that prohibits companies from taking advantage of a loophole in emissions standards to produce pollution.