Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Is Brain Damage from Lead Permanent?

Medical studies have examined whether children’s school performance is related to their exposure to lead. These studies have demonstrated that many academic skills and performance suffer from that exposure. These studies have also demonstrated that for school skills and performance are persistent problems which resulted in learning disabilities and a very high rate of failure to graduate from high school. These studies also demonstrate that these academic problems have an enduring and negative impact on success in real life.

In one of the most important research projects in the field Dr. Herbert Needleman followed a group of children who had been exposed to lead. He published a medical article in the New England Journal of medicine providing his findings of an 11 year or follow-up for these lead poisoned children. The children with the highest lead exposures were seven times more likely to drop out of high school. Higher lead levels were also associated with lower class rank, increased absenteeism, lower scores on vocabulary and grammatical reasoning tests, significantly slower finger-tapping speed, longer reaction times, poorer hand-I coordination, and lower reading scores. These impairments of reading skills were sufficiently extensive to be labeled reading disability (indicated by scores to grades below the expected scores).

Recent studies have used cutting edge diagnostic procedures such as MRI and MRS to assess direct measures of brain damage. These studies have given strong support to the conclusion that brain damage from lead poisoning is permanent. In the fall of 2006 and important paper was published in the Journal of Pediatrics providing stunning visual representations of the brain damage from lead poisoning.

 There have also been efforts to determine whether brain damage from lead can be reversed by providing chelation therapy to children. Regrettably, these studies show that very little can be done medically for children once they are lead poisoned. These studies point to the need to undertake aggressive steps to eliminate any chance of lead exposure for young children. In addition, these studies have demonstrated that brain damage from lead does not stop occurring as children get older. To the contrary, even lead exposure for school age children has been demonstrated to result in permanent loss of intelligence.

$358.5 Million to Sixteen Children Exposed to Dangerous Amounts of Lead

Lead Exposure – Symptoms, Treatment, and Advice for your Family

If you suspect that you or somebody in your family – a child, perhaps – has been exposed to lead, you may be wondering what to do now. What are the symptoms? Are there tests you can do yourself? What tests can your doctor or pediatrician run for you? What is the treatment for lead exposure? Are there any long-term health effects? The Serpe firm has complied this helpful summary of facts for anybody who is worried about lead exposure.

What are the symptoms of lead exposure?

Lead poisoning can affect many parts of the body, but the most pronounced effects are on the central nervous system and kidneys. Lead enters the body through the inhalation or ingestion of lead dust or particles, and from there it travels into the bloodstream and organs. Eventually it is deposited in the bones and teeth, where it can remain for decades.

WebMD lists the following symptoms for high levels of lead in adults and children:

• Stomachaches, cramping, constipation, or diarrhea
• Nausea, vomiting
• Persistent, unexplained fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle weakness
• Higher rates of tooth decay

WebMD also lists the following symptoms, however it can be difficult to determine if these symptoms are caused by lead exposure as they are common to other types of illness:

• Behavioral symptoms in children: Irritability or aggressiveness, hyperactivity, being easily distracted, impulsiveness, learning problems, lack of interest in play, loss of appetite.
• Behavioral symptoms in adults: Irritability, unexplained changes in mood or personality, changes in sleep patterns, inability to concentrate, memory loss.
• Neurological symptoms: Poor coordination, weakness in hands and feet, headaches, seizures, paralysis, coma.

Help! I think I’ve been exposed to lead!

We’re all afraid about lead exposure – after all, it’s all over the news. Most of us know about the lead in homes built before 1978, the dangers of lead that used to be in gasoline, and of course we’ve also been stunned by the numerous toy recalls by Mattel, one of the largest toy manufacturers. You may be worried that you or one of your family members have been exposed to lead – particularly if you have a child in your home who may have been playing with lead-tainted toys.

Childhood lead poisoning is still a problem in the United States. The CPSC estimates that 1.7 million children between the ages of 1 and 5 have levels of lead in their blood that are of concern. Children should be screened routinely for lead poisoning as part of a well-baby visit before the age of 2. When you visit the pediatrician for your child’s well-visit exam, the pediatrician will probably make you fill out a form asking questions which can be used to gauge your child’s potential for lead contamination. Questions ask about the age of your home and any ongoing renovation work (that might stir up lead dust in an older home), hobbies that you or another caretaker may have which involves the use of lead (i.e. stained glass work), and more. You may also request that your child be tested, regardless of the results of the questionnaire.

Infants and children are usually tested by a quick finger-stick to collect blood, while a blood draw from a vein is necessary for adults. This will test for lead levels in the blood only, not other internal organs or bones. Additional tests that can be performed include x-rays to look for the presence of lead in your organs and bones, and kidney and urine tests to evaluate renal function.

Considering a home test for lead? Don’t. The most common home test kits, LeadCheck Swabs, have been shown to be inaccurate 64% of the time (you can read our article about these swabs here). The only reliable kind of lead testing is done at certified laboratories (for consumer goods) or through in-home testing by certified lead test companies. You can search for a lead-test company or lead-risk assessor in your area here. The Community Environmental Health Resource Center (CEHRC) provides a great “Lead Test Decision Guide” on their website.

What is the treatment for lead exposure?

If you or somebody you love has been exposed to lead, the first step in a treatment program is to remove the source of contamination. The next step is to ensure that the person suffering from lead poisoning is eating a nutritious diet, as a well-fed body will absorb less lead than a nutritionally deficient body. If levels of lead in the body are very high, chelation therapy may be tried – but it is very important that the source of lead be removed from the patient’s environment first. Unfortunately, it does not appear possible to reverse the effects of lead exposure by using chelation therapy. This is all the more reason to prevent exposure to lead in the first place – a job we expect our government agencies and manufacturers to take seriously.

Are there any long-term health effects from lead exposure?

The Serpe Firm has reviewed key medical literature to determine if the damage from lead poisoning is permanent, and sadly it appears that it is. Please see the article on our website titled “Is Brain Damage from Lead Permanent?”

Finally, consider keeping track of recalls involving products containing excessive amounts of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) “is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.” Their website contains information about recalled products, and is the most comprehensive source of recall information. You can also search the CPSC website by type of hazard – go to their website here and search by “lead”. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) maintains a list of all products recalled for lead contamination. You can look for toys, cosmetics, office products, and more that have tested positive for excessive levels of lead.

If you or somebody you love has been affected by lead exposure, please contact the law office of Richard Serpe, PC immediately. Richard Serpe has the experience you need for your lead poisoning case, and will help make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Lead Poisoning Sickens Hundreds in China

Contrary to popular belief, lead poisoning is still a big problem in many parts of the world. It may not be as common as it was several decades ago, but it is something to be aware of nonetheless. If you have been keeping up with the news, you have probably heard that roughly 600 children in China were recently sickened by lead poisoning. No, this is not in the United States. But who is to say where this may happen next?

It is thought that families living close to the Dongling Lead and Zinc Smelting Co. were those who were affected. Out of the 731 children living in the two villages close by, approximately 80 percent tested positive for lead poisoning. Sources close to the situation have reported that lead levels in some children were as high as 506 milligrams per liter of blood. Is this a lot by Chinese standards? Most definitely. In fact, this is more than 10 times the “safe” amount in China.

Every house in the two villages that were affected will be relocated within the next one to two years. As you can imagine, staying put is not a good idea.

Almost 200 of the children will need hospital treatment, while the rest will receive treatment at home.

Lead poisoning can lead to nerve damage, memory loss, high blood pressure, and in some cases death.

It is unfortunate that something like this has to happen to show the world that lead poisoning can still be a problem.

If you or your child has been a victim of lead poisoning you need to know your legal rights. Do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C. for a free Virginia lead poisoning consultation.

Lead Poisoning Statistics

Although lead poisoning and related issues have died off a bit since the 1970’s and 80’s, this is still a problem that you need to be aware of. Once you take a closer look at the statistics you will see that this is still a major problem.

Before moving onto the statistics, it is important to first know what lead poisoning is. Simply put, this is a condition that occurs when an individual is exposed to lead for an extended period of time. Lead levels must be above the Maximum Contaminant Level.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has set a lofty goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning by 2010. This is a huge goal because there are more than 300,000 children in the US with an elevated level of lead in their blood. When compared to millions of cases 30 years ago, you can see that a lot of progress has been made.

Many states, including Virginia, are taking the initiative in decreasing the number of lead poisoning cases in their state. For instance, the Lead Safe Virginia Program has successfully lowered the number of confirmed cases from 868 in 1997 to 430 in 2006. Virginia is definitely on pace to reach the national goal set forth by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

A blood lead level in excess of 10 micrograms is considered a dangerous. Even though lead poisoning statistics are improving this problem is not totally under control. Hopefully by 2010 lead poisoning cases will be very rare. 

If you or your child has been a victim of lead poisoning you need to know your legal rights. Do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C. for a free Virginia lead poisoning consultation.

Lead Poisoning: Still a Big Problem

Believe it or not, many people think that lead poisoning is a problem of the past. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Lead poisoning is a big problem in today’s day and age, and there is a good chance that this will continue for many years to come.

Did you know that every year roughly 310,000 children in the United States are poisoned by lead? This does not even take into consideration those that live in other parts of the world.

Lead contaminated dust in the home is the number one source of lead poisoning. Even though the number of children in the US with elevated blood lead levels is declining (from 13.5 million in 1978), the problem still exists.

While children are at greater risk, adults need to be careful to avoid lead poisoning as well. Most adults who are poisoned by lead find this to be a direct result of their working environment. This can be a side effect of the refining, lead smelting, and manufacturing industries. 

One of the most common causes of lead poisoning in both children and adults is lead based paint that was commonly used in the 1970’s and earlier. When scraping lead paint it is important to take all proper precautions during the process, while also properly cleaning their area upon completion.

As you can see, even though lead poisoning is not as common as it was in the past, it is still a big problem.

If you or your child has been a victim of lead poisoning you need to know your legal rights. Do not hesitate to contact the lawyers at The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe, P.C. for a free Virginia lead poisoning consultation.

Lead Poisoning

Over the past few decades, there have been significant measures taken to reduce the risk of poisoning through exposure to lead. Our cars are now required to run on unleaded gasoline. The use of lead-based paint is now banned.

We have limited our exposure to lead for a good reason: lead is a toxic substance that can adversely affect brain development in children, damage the nervous system or kidneys, or even result in death.

Lead is not a substance that simply disappears. It can remain in an environment for years, slowly but steadily building up in the bloodstream and tissue of those who are repeatedly exposed to it, while the victims are usually unaware of the danger that they are in until it is too late.

Symptoms

We now know that children suffer from permanent brain damage with even extremely small amounts of lead in their blood. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls the situation unacceptable and has called for more action to eliminate this problem once and for all. Children suffer greatly from exposure to lead. In large doses, this toxin can cause permanent physiological damage, but even in small doses, the effects can last a lifetime. Brain and nerve function in young victims can severely alter a child’s ability to learn and perform. Teachers reported that students with elevated tooth lead concentrations were more inattentive, hyperactive, disorganized, and less able to follow directions. Additional follow-up of some of those children showed higher rates of failure to graduate from high school, reading disabilities, and greater absenteeism in the final year of high school. Elevated bone lead concentrations are associated with increased attention dysfunction, aggression, and delinquency.

Examples of Lead Contamination

Paint: Many people believe that the problem with poisoning from lead-based paint must have been solved years ago. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. The United States still has 24 million homes with lead-based paint. Over time, lead-based paint slowly chips and flakes, which causes lead dust to float in the environment, putting occupants at great risk.

Soil: Lead and other heavy metals can easily contaminate soil and groundwater they come into repeated contact with. Areas around foundries or manufacturing plants can easily become contaminated and can remain so for decades. Not only does this lead enter into the environment through disposal of industrial waste, but also through smokestack emissions.

Water: With the known dangers of lead poisoning, it would seem to be an obvious matter of public safety to replace any municipal water pipes that contained lead. Unfortunately, many cities and towns have simply left old pipes in use, either for cost-cutting measures or because they were sadly unaware that the pipes were in bad condition. For example, Washington, D.C. had 23,000 lead pipes in use for municipal water service, and is still in the process of replacing them.

Richard Serpe: Experience for Lead Poisoning Cases

When someone is a victim of lead poisoning, the effects can be long lasting, particularly in children. Child victims often suffer developmental disabilities that can make adjusting to a normal life practically impossible.

Through no fault of their own, the victims of lead poisoning are experiencing pain and suffering, extensive medical bills, and a life that will never be the same. Those responsible for this are playing pass the buck. The manufacturers dispute the science, or the landlords blame the maintenance company, or the attorneys and insurers offer settlements that are a fraction of what is fair or reasonable.

Over the years, Richard Serpe has gained a reputation as being a fierce advocate for the rights of those who have suffered from the careless pollution of their environments. He made history in Virginia when he received a $2,000,000 verdict, which is the largest verdict in the state for a victim of lead poisoning. He has successfully argued for his clients before state and federal courts and has dedicated his career to helping the victims of environmental poisoning receive fair and just treatment.

If your children have suffered from lead poisoning, and you feel that your needs and concerns are not being taken seriously, contact the Law Offices of Richard Serpe for a free legal consultation today.