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Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning occurs from swallowing lead
(i.e. lead paint chips) or from breathing dust with lead in it.
Peeling paint is a signal that lead paint was probably
used.
The most common source of lead
poisoning comes from paint. Lead paint was used in most buildings built before
1978.
Dangerous levels of lead have also
been found in vinyl mini-blinds and in the finishing on fixtures such as bath
tubs.
Children are at the greatest
risk.
◊ Lead poisoning is the greatest environmental health threat to
children under
the age of 7.
◊ Even small amounts of chipped lead paint or lead dust can be
dangerous to
children.
◊ If a child (or adult) has been exposed to
materials containing lead, they
should have a blood-lead
test.
◊
A blood-lead test is the only accurate way to diagnose lead
poisoning.
◊
A child who has been exposed to lead should get a blood-lead test
at
each pediatric check-up until
the age of seven.
Symptoms
of children exposed to
lead
can
include the following:
◊ sluggish
behavior
◊ apathy
◊
headaches
◊ staring
periods
◊ tremors
◊ seizures
◊ loss of
consciousness
◊ abdominal
cramps
◊ loss of
appetite
◊ constipation
◊ irritability
◊ hyperactive
behavioral
Adult
symptoms of exposure to lead
are more pronounced:
◊ Mood swings
◊ Irritability
◊ Severe abdominal
pain
◊ Headaches
◊ Loss of motor
coordination
Steps to
take to prevent
your child from getting
lead poisoning:
- ◊ Always assume that paint in housing
built before 1978 contains
lead.
- ◊ Call the local department of health and
insist on a lead-based paint
inspection.
- ◊ Insist that the landlord maintain paint
properly by removing
deteriorating paint and repainting with two coats of
non-leaded paint.
- ◊ Frequently mop all floors and wipe down
all surfaces with high-
phosphate detergents.
- ◊ Ensure that your children wash their
hands frequently.
- ◊ Wash you children's toys frequently to
ensure that lead-contaminated
dust does not settle on
them.
- ◊ Discourage your children from putting
their hands and toys in their
mouths.
- ◊ Ask for help from your pediatrician and
your local department of
health.
You should
consult:
◊ your child's
pediatrician;
◊ your local department of public
health;
◊ the National Lead Information
Center
(1-800-LEAD-FYI)
◊ the Coalition to End Childhood Lead
Poisoning
28 Ostend Street
Baltimore,
Maryland 21230-4209
Call 800-370-5323
or
e-mail:
LEADFREE@msn.com
You need a lawyer who handles
lead poisoning to adequately analyze all the intricacies involved and protect your rights to
be fully compensated for your damages.
Do not make any type of statement
or sign any papers without first consulting with us
Anything said or signed can be used against you and may prevent you from
receiving compensation that you may have otherwise been able to
receive.
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