Death from Air Pollution (and Asthma)

                                                        https://www.ellaroberta.org/

I was listening to a podcast on vacation a few years ago and heard the story about Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah

The WHO just spotlighted her story on their newsletter and that reminded me of Ella's story

Did you know that Ella is the only person in the world to have cause of death listed as air pollution? 

Ella was 7 when she was diagnosed with asthma

She died at 9 years old

 Yes, 9

 Ella lived in South East London and had over 30 hospital admissions in two years time

She died in 2012

Her death certificate listed "acute respiratory failure"

Lack of asthma education

Doctors had run numerous tests on Ella and told mom Rosamund that Ella she was sensitive to allergens (as many of us with asthma are.)

But a fellow Londoner contacted Rosamund after reading a newspaper article. That resident  suggested Rosamund:

"have a look at the air pollution levels on the night Ella died"

Rosamund found out that her heavily congested neighborhood had excessive air pollution levels - specifically nitrogen dioxide (NO2 or NOx), from car exhaust

 The NOx levels exceeded England's limits, as well as the World Health Organization's guidelines

During Emma's short life, she had been exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution 

Rosamund says that no one had mentioned that air pollution can impact Ella's asthma

A new inquest into Ella's death was opened in 2020, and the conclusion was:

"Ella died of asthma contributed by exposure to excessive air pollution"

If Rosemund had known that the air pollution was dangerous to Emma, no doubt she would have taken precautions 

Air pollution is an asthma trigger for me and my children 

But, I find that many people with asthma 'don't know what they don't know' - such as air pollution can cause an asthma attack 

And in rare cases, can cause death 

That's why I have dedicated the last 25 years to providing asthma education for people around the world

We didn't get the asthma education we needed when my kids were diagnosed 25 years ago

Please check the air quality levels where you live

 In America, you can enter your zip code on Air Now's website

On high pollution days, I stay inside - even if that means I have to go to the mall to walk. I also use the recirculating air setting on my car 

Know your asthma triggers and ways to avoid them