The UN's children's agency, UNICEF, has said Asia accounts for more than 16 million of the world's 17 million infants living in areas with severe pollution. It is at least six times more than safe levels. In its report, UNICEF today said satellite imagery used to assess pollution levels around the world found that South Asian countries accounted for 12.2 million of the total number of affected children but that there is also a growing problem in African cities.<br/><br/>The report highlighted links found between pollution and brain functions including verbal and nonverbal IQ and memory, reduced test scores, grade point averages among school children, as well as other neurological behavioural problems. <br/><br/>It said as more and more of the world urbanises, and without adequate protection and pollution reduction measures, more children will be at risk in the years to come.<br/><br/>Air pollution has already been linked to asthma, bronchitis, and other long-term respiratory diseases. According to UNICEF report, India topped the list of countries with babies at risk, followed by China.