California Lead Poisoning and Children
Did you know?
The National Safety Council estimates that there are more than 400,000 children under the age of six who have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
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Quick Facts - Lead-Based Paint Exposure in Children
- It has been estimated that 42 million homes in the United States contain lead.
- Lead-based paint is the most common high-dose source of lead exposure for children.
- If your building was built before 1978 it is very possible that lead paint was used.
- Lead pigments were known to cause serious illness and death in lead industry workers and the public as long as 100 years ago.
- Lead poisoning is the greatest environmental health threat to children under the age of six.
- Lead Poisoning occurs from swallowing lead paint chips or from breathing lead paint dust.
- Children living in these homes are at risk for lead exposure and lead poisoning.
- In the United States bout 3 million tons of lead remain in an estimated 57 million occupied private housing units built before 1978.
- 14 million housing units are believed to contain lead paint in unsound condition.
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many of 434,000 children between the ages of one and five have elevated blood lead levels.
Even small amounts of chipped lead paint or lead dust can be dangerous to children. The brain and organs of young children are developing rapidly during childhood, and exposure to lead can cause many serious long-term health problems.
Even though lead hasn't been allowed in paint since 1978 it's estimated that over 50% of children living in urban settings are exposed annually because these children often live in dwellings that are old and poorly maintained. Studies have shown that high lead levels may cause:
- Brain Damage
- Damage to Nervous System
- Growth Retardation
- Learning Disabilities
- Behavioral Disabilities
- Hyperactivity
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Spontaneous Death
These injuries, which are often irreversible, will affect children throughout their lives and may impede their future success. If your building was built before 1978 it is very possible that lead paint was used. Peeling paint is a clear signal that lead paint may have been used in your home.
Lead Poisoning in Schools
Large amounts of lead may also be found in schools, playground equipment, old paint, pipes, and dust particles in the air. A blood lead test is the only accurate way to diagnose lead poisoning.
Lead Poisoning and Adults
Lead poisoning is not only a concern for children. Adults exposed to lead in the home, workplace or environment also face the threat of lead poisoning related to overexposure. Lead poisoning is most likely to affect adults living in older homes where deteriorating lead-based paint has decomposed into dust particles, which are then inhaled through contaminated air. The lead particles pass all the way through the respiratory tract and end up in the lungs, where they are processed along with oxygen, allowing them to easily enter the bloodstream.
Children suffering from lead poisoning may be entitled to compensation from those responsible for their injuries. If you believe you or your child has been exposed to lead you may have a claim against a negligent landlord or paint and pigment manufacturer. You may be entitled to compensation by those who are responsible. Contact a California lead poisoning lawyer today to determine your legal rights.
CONTACT A CALIFORNIA LEAD LAWYER
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