Death of Ella Kissi-Debrah: Government Should Set Legally Binding Air Pollution Targets After 9-Year Death, Coroner Says | UK News

The legally binding targets for particulate matter pollution should be reviewed by the government, the coroner investigating nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah said.

In a report aimed at preventing future deaths, Southwark Deputy Coroner Philip Barlow said there was little public awareness of sources of information on national and local pollution levels and that greater awareness would help people reduce their exposure to air pollution.

The harmful effects of air pollution on health are also not sufficiently communicated to patients and their caregivers by medical and nursing professionals, he added.

It comes after Mr Barlow ruled in a second investigation last year that air pollution was the cause of Elladeath – the first time such a recording has been made in the UK.

Ella died in February 2013 from a fatal asthma attack, having suffered constant attacks and nearly 30 hospital visits in the previous three years.

An early 2014 investigative decision, which found she died of acute respiratory failure, was overturned by the High Court following new evidence regarding dangerous levels of air pollution near her home. home.

Ella lived 25 yards from South Circular Road in Lewisham, south-east London – one of the capital’s busiest roads.

During the inquest into her death, Mr Barlow said Ella’s mother, Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, had not received information “about the health risks of air pollution and its potential to worsen asthma “.

“If she had received this information, she would have taken steps that could have prevented Ella’s death,” he said.

A report on the prevention of future deaths is mandatory when a coroner believes action should be taken to reduce the risk of …