What is Ella’s Law?

Ella’s Law, formally known as the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, is a proposed UK legislation aimed at establishing a legal right to clean air for all citizens. Named after Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old girl whose death in 2013 was attributed to air pollution, the law seeks to enforce stricter air quality standards and hold public authorities accountable for maintaining safe air levels. It aligns with existing UK Building Regulations and Approved Documents, particularly those related to ventilation (e.g., Approved Document F) and environmental health.

Ella’s Law is particularly relevant to the UK house building, residential retrofit, and home renovation sectors. It emphasises the need for improved ventilation systems, energy-efficient designs, and sustainable materials to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution. The law also highlights the importance of retrofitting existing buildings to meet higher air quality standards, ensuring compliance with both environmental and health regulations.

Synonym(s)

  • Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill
  • Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah Law

Related Terms

  1. Approved Document F (Ventilation): A UK Building Regulation document that outlines requirements for ventilation systems in residential and non-residential buildings to ensure adequate air quality.
  2. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): The quality of air within and around buildings, particularly as it relates to the health and comfort of occupants.
  3. Retrofit Ventilation: The process of upgrading existing ventilation systems in buildings to improve air quality and energy efficiency.
  4. Air Quality Standards: Legal limits set for the concentration of pollutants in the air, as defined by the UK government and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
  5. Sustainable Building Design: An approach to construction that minimises environmental impact, including reducing air pollution and improving energy efficiency.
  6. Environmental Health: The branch of public health concerned with monitoring and mitigating environmental factors that can affect human health, such as air pollution.
  7. Building Regulations: Statutory instruments in the UK that set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure safety, health, and energy efficiency.