Oregon Lead Paint Injury Lawyers

HUD Estimates That 75 Percent of The Houses Built Before 1978 Contain Some Lead-Based Paint

Lead is a soft, blue-gray, naturally occurring metal. It has been used for centuries for medicinal, industrial, commercial and household purpose. At the same time, lead that enters the body -- especially when it happens to young children -- can be quite toxic and destructive.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that 75% of the houses built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. The director of that agency described lead as the "number one environmental threat to the health of children in the United States." In 1992, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a priority list of 275 hazardous substances. Lead was number one on that list.

Because it does not degrade or break-down, lead stays in the environment and unless it is handled properly, it has the potential to cause an ongoing cycle of health problems.

Dangers of Lead Poisoning:

Those at greatest risk for the harmful effects of lead poisoning are small children, ages birth to 6. Their developing bodies and brains are sensitive to even small amounts of lead. The following is a list of some of the health and behavioral problems lead poisoning can cause:

learning disabilities
brain damage
decreased IQ
attention deficit disorder
hyperactivity
nervous system damage
brain swelling
major organ failure (kidneys, liver)
coma
death
Many of these injuries -- particularly those involving the central nervous system -- can be irreversible. Adults can also be affected by lead poisoning. Those health issues include the following:  problems with reproduction harm to the fetus, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive problems, memory, and concentration difficulties, kidney damage, mood swings.

Where Lead is Found:

Here is a list of common sources of lead in and around the home and other child-occupied facilities: lead paint (chips and dust)  soil contaminated by lead paint/dust or automobile exhaust from leaded gasoline, lead in pipes and solder joints,
chipping sinks, and bathtubs and older play equipment ,some hobby and craft supplies (e.g., fishing, stained glass)
food served in lead-glazed pottery, certain traditional remedies and cosmetics, occupational sources: lead brought into the home from the work site

Contact Oregon Lead Paint Injury Attorneys

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