It’s very unfortunate to say that about 4 million households in the US are exposed to high levels of lead. In that regard, it has been reported that half a million US children from ages 1 to 5 have a lead concentration higher than what the CDC has recommended at the public health level.
Worldwide, the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation or IHME said that in 2016, lead exposure was attributed to 540,000 deaths. Besides that, it has contributed to 13.9 million years of life lost because of the negative long-term effects on health.
Sadly, one can also be exposed to lead and even get poisoned in their workplace. When this happens, you must work with an accident lawyer to ensure that you get proper legal and medical help.
Children are Most Vulnerable to the Dangers of Lead Poisoning
Lead is a toxicant that seeps into your body’s bloodstream and could be particularly dangerous to young children. This is because children’s bodies can absorb lead four to five times as much as adults. Based on the research by the Environmental Protection Agency, children’s bodies are not yet fully developed, so they can’t withstand the toxin, making their brain and nervous system sensitive to it.
With that said, it’s important to avoid your kid from putting things in their mouth and ingesting objects that contain lead, such as dust, soil, and paint from toys. Remember—lead exposure can trigger hazardous effects that could damage the brain and central nervous system, leading to coma, convulsions, and death.
How Does Lead Exposure Affect Adults?
As mentioned earlier, adults can get exposed to lead in their workplace. And because of this, if you get exposed or poisoned, you must speak to an accident lawyer right away.
When it comes to adult exposure, it can result in:
- Changes in mood, behavior, and personality;
- Cognitive issues, including memory loss and trouble thinking;
- Fatigue, weakness, and muscle issues;
- Kidney dysfunctions;
- Anemia and headaches;
- Brain Damage;
- Reproductive issues;
- Increased blood pressure, and more;
How Do You Become Exposed to Lead?
A person can be exposed to lead through inhalation of particles or ingestion of a substance. When you inhale particles contaminated with lead, you should know that this is the major way the neurotoxin can enter your system.
Inhalation can happen through exposure to lead paints and lead-infested substances, like dust and soil. The latter is often triggered by battery recycling and mining. On the other hand, one can also be poisoned by ingesting lead-contaminated food and dust. Sadly, lead can also be present in some drinking water supplies.
Can I Treat Lead Poisoning?
Prevention is always better than a cure, and with that, you want to ensure that you take the right steps to avoid exposure to this harmful substance. You’ll want to change your diet by including more foods with iron and calcium because this can help your body prevent the absorption and storage of lead.
The Bottom Line: Were You Exposed to Lead at Work? Speak to a Lawyer
There’s no denying that lead exposure is dangerous to our health. If you get exposed to lead at your workplace, you must connect with an accident lawyer right away. This way, you can fight for compensation and medical treatment that your company should shoulder. Getting legal assistance can help secure the help that you need from your workplace.
How Can We Help You?
Depending on where you work, you might be exposed to lead, which could harm your health. If by an unfortunate event, you are exposed or poisoned, it’s best to get legal assistance from an accident lawyer right away.
We are a team of accident and malpractice attorneys who focus on personal injury, civil rights, medical malpractice, sexual harassment, construction accidents, and more. So, if you’re looking for an accident lawyer, reach out to us today!