UK Government Apologizes for Air Pollution-Related Death of Nine-Year-Old Girl
The British government has issued a formal apology for the death of nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, believed to be the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate. This apology comes as part of a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Ella’s mother, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, after a prolonged battle that shed light on the dangers of vehicle emissions, particularly in low-income communities.
Ella, who developed severe asthma shortly before her seventh birthday, suffered from debilitating seizures before her untimely death on February 15, 2013. The government has also agreed to an undisclosed financial settlement as part of the resolution announced on Thursday.
“Although this isn’t going to bring Ella back, we finally accept this as an acknowledgment of what happened to her. It puts the issue of air pollution firmly on the map as a public health crisis that needs to be addressed,” Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah stated after meeting with government officials. She emphasized her commitment to continue advocating for clean air and expressed confidence that the government would work alongside her in this endeavor.
Research from the Royal College of Physicians reveals that outdoor air pollution is responsible for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the UK, disproportionately affecting low-income communities situated near high-traffic areas. Ella lived just 25 meters from the busy South Circular Road, a major traffic route in London.
In May 2019, the High Court set aside the findings of the original inquest, which attributed Ella’s death solely to asthma. A subsequent inquest in December 2020 concluded that air pollution was a contributing factor to her death, along with acute respiratory failure and severe asthma. Deputy Coroner Philip Barlow ruled that Ella was exposed to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and highlighted a “recognised failure” to keep nitrogen dioxide levels within legally mandated limits.
Barlow noted that Ella’s mother was not adequately informed about the health risks posed by air pollution, which could have led her to take preventive measures. The child’s estate, managed by her mother, pursued legal action against multiple government departments, including the Environment Department and the Department of Health and Social Care, seeking compensation for Ella’s illness and premature death.
The government characterized Ella’s death as a “tragedy,” acknowledging the significant impact of Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s public campaign for improved air quality. In a statement, the government expressed its condolences, saying, “To lose a loved one at such a young age is an immeasurable loss.”
Environment Minister Emma Hardy reiterated the government’s commitment to align UK air quality legislation with WHO standards, as announced by Adoo-Kissi-Debrah’s law firm, Hodge Jones & Allen.
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