England: Nine-year-old girl could be recognised as victim of air pollution in landmark inquest

A fresh inquest into the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah in 2013 began in London yesterday following last year’s quashing of the original 2014 inquest ruling.

The original ruling that Ms Kissi-Debrah died of acute respiratory failure caused by severe asthma was quashed after an air pollution expert said her death could be linked to unlawful levels of air pollution from the South Circular road in south London.

Professor Sir Stephen Holgate told the attorney general that air pollution monitors near the girl’s home, 25 miles from the South Circular road, suggested a link between the type and severity of her asthma and the air quality.

The fresh 10-day inquest will consider whether air pollution contributed to Ms Kissi-Debrah’s death, as well as steps taken to reduce air pollution and the information provided to the public about it.