An estimated 3.6 million American homes with at least one child have significant lead paint hazards. As many as 500,000 US children under 6 years have BLLs ≥5 µg/dL. Each lead-exposed child costs an estimated $5600 in medical and special educational services. Lead exposure-related cognitive impairments cost an estimated $50.9 billion annually in lost US economic productivity.
When COVID-19 cases spiked last spring, lockdowns and day care closures confined young children to their homes. Efforts to removal were disrupted and routine childhood lead screenings decreased leaving untreated children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in the early months of the pandemic, roughly 10,000 children with elevated levels of lead in their blood may have gone undetected.
Lead poisoning happens when your child is affected by high levels of lead exposure.
Lead poisoning is usually caused by ingesting lead, but touching or breathing in the toxic metal can also cause it.
Lead poisoning is when any detectable amount of lead is found in your child’s blood.
Children who have lead poisoning often don’t have symptoms. Even healthy-looking children can have high levels of lead in their bodies. Symptoms of lead poisoning in children can include:
- Cramps
- Hyperactivity (restlessness, fidgeting and talking too much)
- Learning problems
- Changes in behavior
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Anemia (not enough hemoglobin in their blood)
The United States banned lead based paint in 1978, but before it was used in older houses. Although lead based paint is no longer sold, New York is still one of the leading cities associated with lead poisoning.
Inspection programs are frequently insufficient to protect the public in large urban areas, where there is a greater number of older buildings which are likely covered in this lead paint.
Lead poisoning liability can fall upon the landlord, if the poisoning occurred in a rented unit, or liability can extend to the manufacturers, distributors or sellers. If you, or your child, have been exposed to lead paint, contact us today for a free consultation.