Lead Poisoning

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What is Lead Poisoning?

What is the Cause of Lead Poisoning?

What are the Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?

What are the Effects of Lead Poisoning?

How is Lead Poisoning Treated?

How to Avoid Lead Poisoning?

Why do I Need a Lead Poisoning Attorney?

If you or your children have been the victims of lead poisoning, the right personal injury lawyer can make certain that you recover the maximum benefits you deserve under the law. Please read on or feel free to contact any one of our fourteen offices throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts with any questions that you have regarding your lead poisoning claim.

What is Lead Poisoning?

High levels of lead in the bloodstream cause lead poisoning. If an adult or child’s level of lead in their blood is greater than 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood they have high levels of lead in their system. Lead is a metal, which was often used in paints, gasoline, pipes and plumbing and other fixtures. Lead poisoning can be caused by high exposures of lead, or low exposures of lead over a long period of time. Lead is toxic to the tissues and enzymes in your body and long-term exposure can have devastating consequences.

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What is the Cause of Lead Poisoning?

The cause of lead poisoning is usually different in adults and children. Young children are at the greatest risk for lead poisoning due to their tendency to pick up objects and put them in their mouth. Lead poisoning is the number one environmental hazard for children. Children are generally exposed to lead through peeling paint in their homes. Young children ingest the lead through paint chips or chewing on lead paint surfaces, like windowsills. Children also inhale dust from lead paint. Although lead paint has been banned since 1978, homes that were built prior to 1978 still had lead paint in them. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates over 38 million homes in the U.S. still have lead paint.

Another cause of lead poisoning is the soil and water in children’s homes. Children ingest lead by playing in their yard and then putting their hands or soil in their mouths. Pipes and plumbing may also be made of lead or contain traces of lead, which will then contaminate the water that both children and adults drink. Other less common causes of lead poisoning include lead in cosmetics, ceramics/pottery and canned foods. In 1995 the U.S. prohibited the use of lead in cans, however imported canned goods are not subject to that law and the cans may still be sealed with lead.

Lead poisoning is also caused by imported goods, specifically toys. The large majority of lead containing toys are imported from China. About 80% of toys manufactured worldwide are made in China. In 2006 and 2007, millions of toys were recalled due to high lead levels. Most of the toys recalled were marketed for and used by young children. Although children have the greatest risk of lead exposure, adults can still have lead poisoning. Adults are more commonly exposed to lead through their jobs. Refining, smelting, manufacturing and any jobs on older homes can all involve lead exposure. Other activities such as stained glass and refinishing furniture may also cause lead poisoning in adults.

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What are the Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?

Unfortunately, lead poisoning cannot always be identified by symptoms. The best way to tell if your child suffers from lead poisoning is to have them tested each year. The location of where you live may also be a factor. Most people who are exposed to lead are lower income children living in cities. In many urban areas, the available rental properties are not well maintained and were built before 1978. It is important to have your children re-tested each year, at least until they are 6 years old. Some symptoms may occur in some children, such as:

• Irritability
• Sluggishness
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Unusual paleness
• Weight loss
• Vomiting/Nausea
• Learning difficulties

Symptoms for adults are more varied. They can include:

• Pain, tingling or numbness in extremities
• Muscle weakness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Memory loss
• Mood disorders
• Reproductive problems

If you or a loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, get tested for lead poisoning immediately. Do not wait because the effects of lead poisoning may be irreversible depending on the level and length of your lead exposure. Once you know you have been exposed to lead, you can have it removed in order to prevent further exposure and injuries.

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What are the Effects of Lead Poisoning?

Adults and children suffer from the effects of lead poisoning in different ways. Children, particularly those under the age of 6, have the greatest risk of lead poisoning because their brains and central nervous system are still developing. Children suffer from:

• Impaired learning and reading skills
• Deficiencies in motor skills, hand/eye coordination and reaction time
• Lower IQ (leads to greater risk of failure to graduate from high school)
• Behavioral problems (ADHD, hyperactivity)
• Stunted growth
• Anemia
• Seizure
• Coma
• Mental retardation
• Brain damage
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Wrongful death

Adults suffer from reproductive problems, including difficult pregnancies. Women who are pregnant are also at a higher risk because lead poisoning can affect the fetus. Pregnant women need to be concerned about:

• Impairment of sensory-motor development
• Low birth rate
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth

The effects of lead poisoning may be irreversible. Permanency is based on the amount of lead poisoning absorbed into the body and the length of time you were exposed to lead. If you or a loved one suffered from lead poisoning, you are entitled to compensation. You may be able to recover for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

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How is Lead Poisoning Treated?

One of the key ways of treating lead poisoning is removal or containment of the source of lead. In low-level exposures the removal of the lead along with a change in diet is effective. It is best to eat foods, which are high in iron. Iron will help absorb the lead in the body. If the case of lead poisoning is more severe, the treatment is chelation therapy. Chelation therapy involves taking medication, which will bind to the lead in your body. The medicine quickens the elimination of the lead from the body.

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How to Avoid Lead Poisoning?

Since the 1970s, the U.S. has successfully attempted to lower the amount of lead that is in the environment. Lead paint and leaded gasoline have both been banned. In 1992, the U.S. adopted the Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. This act requires sellers to disclose any known lead hazards to buyers of homes, which were built prior to 1978. All states have some laws regarding lead poisoning. Most states require landlords to disclose to tenants the possibility of lead paint on the rental property. Typically landlords are required to provide tenants with a pamphlet of information about the dangers and causes of lead poisoning.

However, lead continues to be problematic because it is not biodegradable and will not break down. Therefore, if the lead is not removed or otherwise managed, it is still a problem. Some states have abatement (clean up) programs in place; Rhode Island does have several different abatement plans to help remove lead from buildings. Individual Rhode Island cities and towns are also providing programs to educate the public about lead poisoning. In Massachusetts, any unit or single family home with children under 6 years old living inside must be “deleaded.” “Deleaded,” means removal or the lead or containing the lead. The lead does not necessarily need to be removed. For example, lead paint is not a hazard, unless it is chipping or peeling. Once the deleading is complete, the residence will now be labeled as lead safe.

Other general tips to avoid lead poisoning are very simple:

• Make sure your children wash their hands often, particularly after they have been outside or before eating.
• Keep your children’s nails short.
• Wash children’s toys, blankets and stuffed animals.
• Wash windowsills and floors each week.
• Serve food which contains lots of iron and calcium (iron and calcium help to prevent lead absorption in the body).
• Have the soil and water tested for lead.
• Have your children tested for lead annually.

MORE LEAD SAFETY INFORMATION:

Your Federal Agency: http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead
Your RI State Agency: http://www.health.state.ri.us/lead/index.php
Your MA State Agency: http://www.state.ma.us/dph/clppp/clppp.htm

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Why do I Need a Lead Poisoning Attorney?

If you or a loved one were exposed to lead and developed lead poisoning as a result, you are entitled to compensation. You need an attorney who can get you the compensation you deserve. You may have a case against your landlord or even against the paint company. Although it was later overturned, a Rhode Island court has held paint companies responsible for the lead paint they produced. In 2006, the Rhode Island Superior Court found three paint manufacturers, Sherwin-Williams, NL Industries and Millennium Holdings liable to pay $2.4 billion to clean up contaminated homes. It is important that you contact us as soon as you find out that your child has been poisoned. We can help you protect your rights.

Contact the Law Offices of d'Oliveria & Associates, P.C.

For a free consultation come into one of our RI or MA locations – or we can serve you by coming to your home. No matter where you live, feel free to send us a contact form or call us toll free at 1-800-992-6878 for your free initial case review. Tell them you mean business, and let the lawyers of d'Oliveira & Associates, P.C., go to work on your behalf now!

Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.

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