Testing for lead poisoning in New York children will be evaluated against lower lead levels soon. According to Observer Today, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez recently introduced A. 8564 in the state Assembly to bring the state Public Health Law’s definition of elevated lead levels into line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) levels recommended in October.
Children may potentially be exposed to lead through lead paint, contaminated dust and in some cities, drinking water that passes through lead pipes. The metal accumulates in the body and at very high levels, it may damage organs and cause seizures. Lead poisoning may occur even at lower levels of exposure by harming a child’s brain development, which may lead to learning disabilities and even behavioral issues.
Why This Change is Needed
Lead poisoning is measured using a measurement of micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. In the late 1970s, the average blood lead level in U.S. children ages 1 to 5 was 15 micrograms per deciliter. The most recently reported measure covering the years 2011 to 2016, was 0.83 micrograms. In 1991, the standard for children was set at 10 micrograms per deciliter and in 2012, the CDC reduced it to 5 micrograms. Last month, the CDC further lowered that number to 3.5 micrograms.
CDC officials emphasized that lead exposure at all levels is harmful to children and can be detrimental to their long-term health and that lowering the lead level is an important step in protecting the health of children as they grow and develop. In spite of overall decline in blood lead levels, the CDC stated that lead exposure remains a significant public health concern for some children because of persistent lead hazards in the environment.
Children Are in Danger
Sources of lead include housing contaminated with lead-based paint, which has been a persistent problem in New York City, not just in public housing units (the Projects) owned and operated by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), but also a number of private housing where landlords (building owners) have flouted lead laws and put residents, particularly young children, at risk of lead poisoning. Sadly, those who suffer the worst effects of lead poisoning are children in low-income and/or immigrant families.
According to the CDC, lead exposure can seriously harm young children. Exposure to lead can cause impaired brain development resulting in reduced intelligence quotient or IQ, behavioral changes such as decreased attention span and increased anti-social behavior, and reduced academic achievement.
Exposure to lead may also result in anemia, hypertension, kidney problems and toxicity to the immune system and reproductive organs. We know now that even blood lead concentrations that are termed low may be associated with decreased intelligence in children, behavioral issues and learning difficulties. As lead exposure increases, the range and severity of symptoms also increases.
New York Lead Poisoning Lawyer
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.
If your child has been diagnosed with 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.observertoday.com/news/page-one/2022/01/lower-lead-poisoning-level-proposed/