How to Protect Yourself from Lead Poisoning

When a person is exposed to ongoing lead exposure, when lead particles are inhaled, ingested, or enter the bloodstream, serious health issues can result. This is because lead, a heavy metal, can have an impact on an individual’s nervous system and brain. Because children are still developing, the impacts can be even more dangerous.

If you have experienced the effects of lead poisoning, or someone you love has been impacted, talk to a Baltimore personal injury lawyer today. The results of lead poisoning can be lifelong. There are situations where individuals who experienced lead poisoning as a small child were never able to fully recover. A family should not have to suffer, a lawyer with experience winning lead poisoning cases can advocate for you.

Ways to Reduce Lead Exposure

Of course, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to avoid lead exposure before it happens. And there are steps families can take to help reduce the possibility of lead poisoning.

For example, older homes are more likely to have lead paint. Buildings that were built prior to 1978 may have lead paint on the walls. For this reason, finding out when buildings you and your family spend time in were built can be helpful. This includes your home, the school buildings kids spend days in, and the office spaces where adults work. If the buildings are old, inquire about lead remediation.

Lead remediation could include the following:

• Affected window areas, including all the window components, will need to be removed, taking care to not create any dust.
• Metal features. When they are removed, they need to be cleaned outside of the building before being replaced.
• Protective measures, such as plastic coverings, need to be in place when exterior work releases lead particles.
• Lead paint needs to be removed from the affected area and the door jamb should be replaced, if possible. Sometimes the old jamb can be stripped effectively and efficiently, too.

If you are in a situation where a lead abatement will be occurring or you are having a remodel done on a house built prior to 1978, move out during the process. Professionals need to carry out all of the removal of hazardous materials to keep everyone safe.

Talk to a Baltimore personal injury lawyer about moving forward with a lead poisoning claim.

Testing Soil Can Lead to Clues

Individuals and families have also found lead within the soil surrounding their homes. When buildings are near busy roads or aging fences with peeling paint, there is the possibility of high lead amounts in the soil. Cars that use leaded gas can release lead into the air. And when buildings or fences have lead paint, the paint can chip away and settle into the soil.

When lead is suspected, reach out to your local health department for resources. State health departments have information available to help residents learn more about lead exposure and what to do when lead is found in soil, paint, or plumbing.

Was someone in your family lead poisoned? Talk to the legal team at Iamele & Iamele, LLP. With years of experience, our Baltimore personal injury lawyers successfully secure compensation for personal injury victims throughout the region. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

https://www.iamelelawfirmbaltimore.com/how-can-i-protect-myself-when-riding-a-bike-in-baltimore/