Lead Paint Exposure

Lead is a naturally occurring element that is toxic to humans and animals. Lead used to be in many everyday products, such as gasoline, paint, and water pipes, before scientists realized the serious damage lead exposure causes to the brain and body. Over the past few decades, Congress has banned the use of lead in these products, beginning with gasoline in 1972 and in house paint in 1978. In 1986, Congress began requiring plumbers to use lead-free materials in any plumbing that carries drinking water. As a result, children living in newer homes are far less likely to be exposed lead, and far less likely to suffer the damaging and permanent effects of lead poisoning.

However, children growing up in older homes remain at risk of lead exposure. Once a house has been painted with lead-based paint, that home remains a lead hazard for a small child until the home is remediated according to EPA standards. Applying a fresh coat of lead-free paint on top of older lead-based paint only masks the danger. That fresh coat of paint will eventually deteriorate, breaking into little chips and taking pieces of the older lead-based paint with it. Friction surfaces, such as window frames and doors jambs, tend to create tiny lead fragments as well. These fragments and chips mix with household dust that accumulates on floors, where children tend to play, and can easily be inhaled or ingested by a small child.

SOURCE: EPA

Because Congress banned the use of lead in household paint in 1978, lead-based paint only exists in older homes that were not remediated according to EPA standards. These homes tend to be poorly maintained by their owners, and are frequently offered to low income tenants on Section 8 assistance. As a result, children growing up in low income families are more likely to be exposed to lead at a young age, more likely to suffer the deleterious effects of exposure such as a learning disability and lower IQ, and less likely to be able hold a job when they grow older. Lead hazards have become a socioeconomic trap, keeping low income children from reaching their true potential and climbing the economic ladder. That is why it is important an exposed child gets the resources he or she needs to overcome the lifelong challenges lead poisoning creates.

The attorneys at Levy Konigsberg LLP have years of experience advocating on behalf of lead-poisoned children. If you or your child was exposed to lead at a young age, you may be entitled to compensation. Get the resources you or your child deserve by getting in touch with Levy Konigsberg's lead poisoning attorneys today.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced lead poisoning lawyers via phone at 1-800-414-9330 or by submitting an email inquiry (see form to the right). Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.