The British government has apologized for the death of 9-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who is believed to be the first person in the U.K. to have air pollution listed on her death certificate. This apology was part of a settlement announced in a lawsuit filed by Ella's mother, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, after a decade-long battle that highlighted the risks vehicle emissions pose to children in low-income communities.


Air Pollution Impact:
Ella developed severe asthma just before her 7th birthday and suffered severe seizures before she died on February 15, 2013. Research shows that about 40,000 deaths can be attributed to outdoor air pollution each year in the U.K., with the burden falling most heavily on low-income communities close to busy roads and other major sources of emissions.

Dieselgate Scandal:
The Dieselgate scandal revealed how Volkswagen obscured the true level of emissions released by its diesel-powered vehicles. This revelation led to further investigation into air pollution's health risks.

Coroner's Inquest:
The original inquest attributed Ella's death to asthma, but Britain's High Court set aside these findings in 2019. A second inquest in 2020 found that air pollution was a contributing factor in Ella's death, along with acute respiratory failure and severe asthma.

Government Response:
The government acknowledged a 'recognized failure' to bring nitrogen dioxide levels within the limits set by European Union and domestic law. They also recognized that Ella's mother was not given information about the health risks of air pollution and its potential to exacerbate asthma.

Settlement and Apology:
The government made an undisclosed financial settlement and apologized for Ella's death. They described her death as a 'tragedy' and acknowledged that her mother's public campaign for better air quality had 'made a considerable impact.'

Future Actions:
Environment Minister Emma Hardy reaffirmed her commitment to pass legislation that will bring the U.K. in line with WHO standards. Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah plans to continue fighting for better air quality and has been reassured by the government that they will work with her to clean up the air.

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