Air Pollution: Can It Injure You?

On Thursday October 24, 2024, the British government issued a formal apology following the death of 9-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who is likely the first person in the U.K. to have the cause of death listed as air pollution.[1]

The apology comes as part of a settlement of a lawsuit filed by Ella’s mother, after her daughter, who developed severe asthma shortly before turning seven, suffered debilitating seizures before passing away on February 15, 2013. This case should sound the alarm bells for governments who are failing to take action significant action against air pollution.

Outdoor air pollution, even at low levels, poses a serious threat to human health, contributing to diseases, higher hospitalization rates, and even premature death. Sources and types of air pollution are diverse making the challenge more complicated and a widespread concern.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, 99% of the world’s population was living in places where the WHO air quality guidelines levels were not met.[2] Not surprisingly, in 2019, air pollution was estimated to have caused 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide. Canada was responsible for approximately 17,000 of premature deaths total. The overwhelming proportion of premature deaths (70%) caused by air pollution, were due to ischemic heart disease and stroke.

Health Canada’s data from 2018, indicate that air pollution also contributed to significant health symptoms, including 3.6 million days of asthma symptoms and 39 million days of acute respiratory symptoms.[3]

Air pollution is one of the highest risk factors for deaths in the world. Below is chart summarizing the deaths by risk factors created by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation[4]:

Legal implications are significant against governments and corporations for their failure to take action against air pollution. The World Economic Forum tracked lawsuits against governments and corporations around the world between 2015-2022. The data shows that there were over one thousand lawsuits filed around the world in this period for inaction against pollution. [5]

For years, scientists have sounded the alarm, supported by data that underscores the severe impact of air pollution on human health, yet many countries have failed to take meaningful action. Sadly, cases like Ella’s are likely to become more frequent as the consequences of inaction continue to unfold.

This is an emerging and challenging area of law. If you or a loved one has been injured due to an air quality issue, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to understand your rights.

 

[1] Kirka, Danica. “UK Apologizes in Case of First Child to Have Air Pollution Cited as Cause of Death.” Canada’s National Observer, 31 Oct. 2024,www.nationalobserver.com/2024/10/31/news/uk-apologizes-first-child-air-pollution-death.

[2] “Ambient (Outdoor) Air Pollution.” World Health Organization, 24 Oct. 2024, http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health.

[3] Canada, Health. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 2 Oct. 2024,www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/outdoor-pollution-health.html. 

[4] Ritchie, Hannah, and Max Roser. “Air Pollution.” Our World in Data, 27 Feb. 2024, www.ourworldindata.org/air-pollution.

[5] “Air Pollution: The Lawsuits That Are Holding Governments to Account.” World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/stories/2022/10/lawsuits-to-save-the-planet.

About the Authors

Thomas is an Associate at Oatley Vigmond. His practise is entirely devoted to representing clients who have suffered a serious personal injury and is committed to helping clients achieve the compensation they deserve. Thomas previously worked for a prominent Toronto Insurance Defence firm where he defended insurance companies in motor vehicle accidents as well as other insurance related lawsuits.

To learn more about Thomas, please click here.