Does your child have difficulties in school and/or evidence of a neurological injury that has not been medically diagnosed? Unexplained behavior problems? Well, it is possible that your child has lead poisoning. You see, until this week, children with blood/lead levels of less than 10 mg/dl were not thought to have lead poisoning. The standard for the diagnosis has changed to 5 mg/dl and this means that the number of children with lead poisoning related brain damage is likely as high as 450,000.
This week the Center for Disease Control announced lowered the threshold for lead poisoning in children from 10 mg per deciliter to 5 mg per deciliters. This means that about 450,000 children in the United States have “lead poisoning.” In the upcoming months, many parents will be getting the devastating news–that their child has lead poisoning. Our lawyers can help hold those responsible for the lead poisoning of our children responsible so that these children’s future medical and educational needs can be met, and the impact of the brain damage on their lives and futures can be minimalized. Call us at 888-213-8140 for a free lead paint poisoning phone consultation.
The CDC has published a short brochure about what parents need to know to protect their children from lead paint poisoning.
Exposure to lead paint causes serious brain damage, lowers IQ levels, and causes other neurological injuries. Until recently, it was generally assumed that if blood lead levels were below 10 mg per deciliter there was no need for concern. Recent studies have shown that children with blood lead levels of even 5 mg per deciliter of blood are at great risk for permanent brain injuries and lower IQ’s. The Advisory Committee for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention issued a report in late 2010, and this report has made recommendations to the CDC.
The Center for Disease Control has also specifically acknowledged that “no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.”
Children who acquire lead poisoning generally get it from living in older homes that are dilapidated or under construction. Lead has been banned in paint since 1978. Children can also get lead poisoning in their blood from soil exposed to lead based gasoline, from certain toy jewelry and other toys that contain lead, and from dust on shoes from industrial work sites. Parents should remove recalled toys and jewelry from their homes and stay up to date on recalls by visiting the Consumer Product Safety Commission Website. Lead can also be found from water pumped into homes through leaded pipes, imported items such as clay pots, and certain imported home remedies.
Call a personal injury lawyer at (888) 213-8140 or email us for more information about how we can help you with your lead paint lawsuit in Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Virginia.