How Toxic Is the Air You Breathe?
Summary
This episode explores the tragic story of Ella Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old girl whose severe asthma was triggered by illegal levels of air pollution in London. With help from Professor Stephen Holgate, her mother Rosamund proved that nitrogen dioxide from traffic contributed to Ella’s death, leading to the first-ever death certificate listing air pollution as a cause. The narrative contrasts this victory for clean air advocacy with recent US deregulation efforts, highlighting the ongoing global struggle against invisible environmental hazards.
Topics discussed
Intro: Deregulation and pollution policy
Ella's mysterious illness and seizures
Failed diagnoses and cough syncope
Ella's death and Rosamund's search for answers
Stephen Holgate's investigation into Ella's lungs
Linking attacks to illegal air pollution levels
History of smog and health impacts of micro-pollutants
The coroner's inquest and historic death certificate
Policy changes in London and Rosamund's advocacy
Clean Air Act, US rollbacks, and credits
Listen ad-free on Castria