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Ella Kissi-Debrah lived 25 yards from the South Circular Road in South East London
A nine-year-old girl who died of an asthma attack has become the first person in the UK to list air pollution as a cause of death.
Ella Kissi-Debrah, who lived near South Circular Road in Lewisham, south-east London, died in 2013.
The Southwark Coroner’s Court concluded that air pollution “made a significant contribution” to Ella’s death.
Air pollution factor in the death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah, according to survey https://t.co/lA8tTaXvO6
– BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) December 16, 2020
Professor Gavin Shaddick, government adviser on air pollution, called it a “landmark decision”.
At the end of the two-week inquest, Coroner Philip Barlow said Ella had been exposed to “excessive” levels of pollution.
The inquest learned that in the three years before her death, she had several seizures and was admitted to hospital 27 times.
Delivering a narrative verdict, Mr Barlow said levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) near Ella’s home exceeded guidelines from the World Health Organization and the European Union.
He added: “There was a recognized failure in reducing nitrogen dioxide levels, which likely contributed to his death.
“There was also a lack of information given to Ella’s mother that may have contributed to her death.
Ella’s mother, Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, said: “We have the justice for her that she so deserved.
“But it’s also about other children, as we walk around our city where air pollution is high.”
Ms. Kissi-Debrah said she was “shocked” by the “decisive and exhaustive” nature of the conclusions.
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