U.S. health officials have recently changed the definition of lead poisoning in young children based on their blood lead levels — a move that is expected to more than double the number of victims. According to an NPR news report, the more stringent standards were announced on Nov. 4 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report also stated that this new standard means the number of children ages 1 to 5 who have high blood lead levels may grow from about 200,000 to about 500,000.
New Lead Standard
Some experts say this change was overdue. The CDC last changed the lead level
standard about nine years ago and pledged to consider an update every four years. But work on the revision hit obstacles during the Trump Administration, CDC officials said. In 1991, the standard determined that the presence of 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood as sufficient to state a child suffered lead poisoning. In 2012, that was lowered to 5 micrograms.
The new standard announced last week reduces it further to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter. Health officials say this change has been in the works for several years and should have been implemented sooner. But, they also agree that the CDC may not have received the necessary approvals from the Trump White House to have accomplished that. The Biden Administration has been more supportive of the move, they said.
Effects of Lead on Children
Children can be exposed to lead not just through old paint, but also contaminated dust and drinking water that passes through lead pipes. The toxic metal then accumulates in the body and at very high levels, may cause organ damage and even seizures. In young children, however, even low levels of lead can have devastating health effects. Children can absorb four to five times as much lead as adults exposed to the same source. This may harm their brain development and lead to reduced IQ, learning disabilities and even behavioral problems.
Experts have stated time and again that there is just no safe level or a level of lead that is acceptable in children. When a child is found to have elevated blood lead levels, public health officials are required to try and find the source and take the steps to remove/clean it up.
NYC Housing and Lead Issues
These new standards create more challenges here in New York City where thousands of children are at risk of lead poisoning not just in the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) apartments or public housing also known as “the projects,” but also in a number of private housing units. Landlords (building owners) and property managers in New York City have a responsibility to remove lead paint from their units. They also have an obligation to inform families with young children about the existence of these risks. Several surveys have also shown that during the pandemic, lead testing in New York and around the country dropped to concerning levels.
Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (the Projects), please remember that you have legal rights. If your child has been diagnosed with high blood lead levels, regardless of whether you live in public or private housing, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) (the Projects) or private building owners and building managers for damages. Those who have been affected can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, cost of diagnostic tests, permanent injuries, lost income and benefits, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
New York Lead Poisoning Lawyer
If your child has been affected by lead poisoning, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our firm recovered $1,162,500 for a child who suffered lead poisoning from paint in her apartment. The child’s injuries were subtle and difficult to recognize. We recovered $162,500 above the $1 million dollar total insurance policy in this case. Despite the judge’s efforts to settle the case for $950,000, we fought hard and recovered $162,500 more than the insurance policy of one million dollars. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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Source: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050200076/children-lead-poisoning-cdc-new-standards