Lead paint and lead poisoning have long been known to cause
a host of health problems, including hearing loss, stunted
body growth and even reduced I.Q. But new research points
to another danger of lead paint and lead poisoning -
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Boys at Greater Risk
The study proved that boys are at a greater risk than
girls, pointing to a specific variation in a genetic
dopamine receptor (DRD4-7). Children with this genetic
variation who have exposure to lead are at a greater risk
of developing ADHD. The connection between lead poisoning
and attention problems has long been known, and it was this
connection that spurred doctors to research a potential
link between ADHD and lead poisoning.
Doctors split the children studied into two groups - a
high- and low-risk category of DRD4 variation. Though
exposure to lead paint and other lead did not seem to
increase the risk for children with the high-risk variety,
the low-risk group was significantly affected by the
presence of lead.
A Series of Disorders
ADHD children are not the only victims of lead poisoning -
lead exposure can lead to disorders in almost every part of
the body. The nervous system is a common casualty of lead
exposure, with reduced strength and inability for different
body parts to effectively communicate with one another. The
potential for miscarriage is increased by lead exposure,
and sperm production can be endangered in men who are
exposed to lead paint or particles. Though there is no
conclusive proof that lead is carcinogenic (cancer-causing)
to humans, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
determined that lead is a potential human carcinogen.
Protecting Children from Lead Poisoning
Children are by far the most vulnerable to lead poisoning.
Children ingest lead in a number of ways - through chewing
on paint chips in old houses, eating soil or dust that has
been contaminated with lead, or biting ceramics or other
objects that have been coated in lead-based paint. Young
children are at significant risk through their ingestion
habits, but fetuses and babies are at risk, too: premature
birth and even miscarriage are well-known side effects of
lead exposure.
In order to reduce the risk of lead poisoning for children,
parents should be vigilant about what goes in their
children's mouth. They should keep close watch on children
who chew or lick painted surfaces and keep cosmetics and
other lead-based pigments away from children. Frequent hand
and face washing can keep lead dust from getting in the
mouths and mucus membranes of children. In addition, your
child should be tested for lead at one or two years of age.
Legal Options for Lead Poisoning
If you or your child have been injured by lead poisoning,
contact a medical professional immediately. You may be
liable for damages due to your lead-based medical problems.
It is best to consult an experienced lead poisoning
attorney who can provide you with legal consultation and
support as you litigate your lead poisoning claim. You may
be eligible for compensation or damages to help pay for
medical bills and pain and suffering.
----------------------------------------------------
LegalView, is the number one resource for everything legal
on the Web and can be located at http://www.LegalView.com .
LegalView has an array of practice areas that are
continually updated to contain the latest news, jury
verdicts and information. Two new practice areas relate to
Vytorin, http://vytorin.legalview.com , and Zetia,
http://zetia.legalview.com , which are cholesterol-reducing
drugs discovered to be less effective than generic brands.
No comments:
Post a Comment