Lead Poisoning Effect on Children
Lead is a toxic metal that can build up in one's body from consuming water and food with high lead levels, or by breathing in fumes of air contaminated with lead particles. When lead enters the body it can have devastating impacts on the brain and other major organs. For young children who are in their critical stages of development, lead exposure can be extremely catastrophic and in severe cases, deadly.
Children under 6 years old face the biggest health threat from lead poisoning and are most susceptible to long term issues such as brain damage. Even an unborn child still in the womb can have serious birth defects if the pregnant mother is exposed to unhealthy levels of lead. There is no safe level of lead for a child. If your kid shows any of the following symptoms it may be smart to have them examined for lead poisoning:
Developmental delays
Abnormal fatigue or weakness
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Learning difficulties
Vomiting
Causes of Lead Exposure
Until the negative health consequences of lead were discovered in 1978, lead-based paint was commonly used on the walls inside of homes and apartments across the United States. If you live inside a home built before 1978 it is your landlord's duty to disclose if the paint used on your walls is lead-based, and could pose any health threats to you and your family. When lead-based paint begins to chip, contaminated dust fills the air. Toxic particles circulate and begin covering the floor and other objects in the home. Children in this case, who are low to the floor and frequently shove things into their mouths, are likely to ingest unhealthy amounts of lead.
What should you do?
If you live in a home built before 1978 and you have young kids, it is in your best interest to ask your landlord about the paint on your walls and you should also test the lead levels in your water as well. Should you find hazardous amounts of lead you should immediately inform your landlord, and be provided necessary relocation assistance while the issue is remediated.
We are here to help.
If you are experiencing issues regarding this matter or are unsure of your rights as a tenant, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Tenants Law Firm. Our attorneys are here to assist you. Contact us by filling out our online intake form here and we will get back to you to schedule a free consultation. For further information regarding lead poisoning please refer to our previous blog discussing this matter more in depth!