LONDON — The British government has expressed regret over the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a 9-year-old girl who has been recognized as the first person in the U.K. to have air pollution cited as a cause on her death certificate. This announcement comes after a lengthy legal battle that underscored the dangers vehicle emissions pose, especially to children living in underprivileged areas.
This apology accompanied a settlement revealed on Thursday, stemming from a lawsuit initiated by Ella’s mother. Ella battled severe asthma since just before turning seven and suffered from significant seizures until her untimely death on February 15, 2013. Additionally, the settlement included an undisclosed financial compensation for the family.
“While this may not bring Ella back, it serves as recognition of the circumstances surrounding her death, and it emphasizes the urgent need to address air pollution—a public health crisis,” stated Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, Ella’s mother, after discussing the matter with government representatives. She added, “Today marks a conclusion, but I will persist, and I have received assurances from the government regarding continued collaboration to improve air quality.”
Rosamund sought to reopen the coroner’s investigation following the Dieselgate scandal, which exposed how Volkswagen misrepresented emission levels from its diesel vehicles. Studies by the Royal College of Physicians estimate that around 40,000 premature deaths annually in the U.K. are linked to outdoor air pollution, with low-income communities near high-traffic areas being particularly impacted.
Ella spent her childhood just 25 meters from the South Circular Road, a significant traffic route running along the southern perimeter of central London. In May 2019, the High Court of Britain overturned the conclusions of the initial inquest, which had solely attributed Ella’s passing to asthma.
A subsequent investigation in December 2020 ruled that air pollution contributed to her death, along with acute respiratory failure and severe asthma. Deputy Coroner Philip Barlow stated that throughout Ella’s illness, she encountered nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter concentrations that surpassed World Health Organization recommendations. There was also a noted failure to maintain nitrogen dioxide levels within established legal limits.
Barlow indicated that health professionals failed to provide Ella’s mother with critical information regarding air pollution and its potential risks for exacerbating asthma. He remarked that had this information been accessible, it could have prompted actions that might have safeguarded Ella’s life.
Representatives administering the child’s estate, including her mother, filed a lawsuit against various governmental departments for compensation related to Ella’s illness and early passing.
On Thursday, the government described Ella’s passing as a “tragedy” and acknowledged that her mother’s advocacy for improved air quality has had a significant influence.
In a statement from her law firm, Hodge Jones & Allen, Adoo-Kissi-Debrah shared that Environment Minister Emma Hardy reiterated the commitment to implement legislation that aligns the U.K. with World Health Organization standards.
In their statement, the government, addressing the involved departments, expressed, “We sincerely apologize for your loss and extend our deepest condolences to you, Ella’s mother, her siblings, and everyone who knew her. The loss of a young loved one is an immeasurable tragedy.”