Some 300 experts gathered last week in the Thai capital, at an international conference sponsored by the World Health Organization, to discuss the future of the world's children, who are exposed to the impacts of a deteriorated environment. At least three million children die each year as a result of environmental accidents or health dangers. Some 1.3 million died in 2000 from diarrhea related to poor water quality, while 400,000 were killed in accidents, including poisoning and burns.

Richard Helmer, WHO director of children's environmental health, urged efforts to reduce threats in the places where children spend their time, including the public transportation systems.