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UK apologizes for child's death in case that made air pollution in low-income areas a national issue

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UK apologizes for child's death in case that made air pollution in low-income areas a national issue
News

News

UK apologizes for child's death in case that made air pollution in low-income areas a national issue

2024-11-01 00:42 Last Updated At:00:50

LONDON (AP) — The British government has apologized for the death of a 9-year-old girl who is believed to be the first person in the U.K. to have air pollution listed on her death certificate, after a decade-long battle that highlighted the risks vehicle emissions pose to children in low-income communities.

The apology was part of a settlement announced Thursday in a lawsuit filed by the mother of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who developed severe asthma just before her 7th birthday and suffered severe seizures before she died on Feb. 15, 2013. The government also made an undisclosed financial settlement.

“Although this isn’t going to bring Ella back, we finally accept this is acknowledgement of what happened to her, and to put the issue of air pollution firmly on the map, that it’s a public health crisis … and something needs to be done about it,’’ Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, Ella’s mother, said after meeting with government officials. “Today it is finally over, but I am going to continue, and I have been reassured by the government that they’re going to be continuing to work with me to clean up the air.”

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah fought to reopen the coroner’s inquest into Ella’s death after the so-called Dieselgate scandal revealed how Volkswagen obscured the true level of emissions released by its diesel-powered vehicles. Research by the Royal College of Physicians later showed 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.

Ella grew up just 25 meters (yards) from the South Circular Road, a major conduit for traffic along the southern edge of central London.

Britain’s High Court in May 2019 set aside the findings of the original inquest, which attributed Ella’s death to asthma.

In December 2020, a second inquest found that air pollution was a contributing factor in Ella’s death, along with acute respiratory failure and severe asthma.

Throughout her illness, Ella was exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter that exceeded World Health Organization guidelines, Deputy Coroner Philip Barlow ruled. There was also a “recognized failure” to bring nitrogen dioxide levels within the limits set by European Union and domestic law.

“Ella’s mother was not given information by health professionals about the health risks of air pollution and its potential to exacerbate asthma,” Barlow said. “If she had been given this information, she would have taken steps which might have prevented Ella’s death.”

The child's estate, which is administered by her mother, sued the Environment Department, the Department for Transport and the Department of Health and Social Care for compensation over Ella’s illness and premature death.

The government on Thursday described Ella’s death as a “tragedy,” and said her mother’s public campaign for better air quality had “made a considerable impact.”

Adoo-Kissi-Debrah said Environment Minister Emma Hardy reaffirmed her commitment to pass legislation that will bring the U.K. in line with WHO standards, according to a statement released by her law firm, Hodge Jones & Allen.

“On behalf of the government departments who were party to the claim, we again take this opportunity to say we are truly sorry for your loss and to express our sincerest condolences to you as Ella’s mother, to her siblings, and to everyone who knew her,’’ the government said in the statement. “To lose a loved one at such a young age is an immeasurable loss.”

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, foreground center, walks with Kerry Jack and her children after leaving the offices of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London after a meeting with Environment Minister Emma Hardy regarding the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah who was the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate, in London, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, foreground center, walks with Kerry Jack and her children after leaving the offices of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London after a meeting with Environment Minister Emma Hardy regarding the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah who was the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate, in London, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

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Luka Doncic won't play Friday in Denver, joining LeBron James on Lakers' injury list

2025-03-15 08:41 Last Updated At:08:50

DENVER (AP) — Luka Doncic won't play against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, joining LeBron James on the Los Angeles Lakers' lengthy list of unavailable players.

The Lakers ruled the star guard out on the second night of back-to-back games because of left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.

“Yeah, just the nature of a bunch of guys dealing with injuries and the schedule. There is not much we can do about that," coach JJ Redick said. "But we are going to try to win a basketball game.”

James' son, Bronny, was on hand after being recalled from the G League. Redick said he'd be available against the Nuggets but his minutes would be limited because he wasn't feeling well.

“He's a little under the weather and the altitude is significant here,” Redick said. “We're going to monitor him just in terms of his fatigue and might play him in shorter bursts, and frankly that might be a good thing for him just to kind of just go all out. I think his comfort level both on and off the ball, G League and then also in the minutes that he's had in the last couple of appearances with us, he's looked sharp.”

Doncic had his highest-scoring game with the Lakers on Thursday, scoring 45 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 126-106 loss in Milwaukee.

James is missing his third straight game with a left groin strain and has already returned to Los Angeles along with Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee.)

Also, Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent are both listed as doubtful to rest left ankle injuries.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Aaron Gordon (sprained right ankle) would play against the Lakers.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Kyle Kuzma during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic tries to get past Milwaukee Bucks' Kyle Kuzma during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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