The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is finalizing new standards to help protect people from exposure to lead paint dust. The new rules create stricter standards for homes built prior to 1978, as well as childcare facilities, to ensure they are free of lead paint. This is intended to protect people, particularly children, from the dangers of lead poisoning.
What Are These New Standards?
The new standards announced by the EPA strengthen existing standards intended to prevent people from being exposed to lead paint dust, requiring lead levels remain below certain levels. They also impose stricter requirements on property owners who own buildings prior to 1978, which is when lead paint was originally banned in the US, as well as on childcare facilities. Moreover, the new standards seek to help underprivileged communities that are disproportionately likely to be exposed to lead paint and suffer its effects.
Why Were They Passed?
These new rules are meant to address continuing issues with people, particularly children, being exposed to lead paint dust. While lead paint has been prohibited from use for nearly half a century, there are still a shocking number of buildings that have lead paint in them. This means that people are still at risk of being exposed to this type of paint, and all the potential health issues that come with it.
What Are the Dangers of Lead Paint Dust?
Lead paint dust is dangerous because it is a potential vector for people to be exposed to lead, which is a heavy metal that can be toxic when introduced to the human body. Among other things, it can lead to pain, muscle weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, memory problems, emotional problems, fatigue, and numbness or tingling in extremities. In children, lead exposure can also cause behavioral problems and developmental delays that can follow them their entire lives.
What Should You Do if You Have Been Exposed to Lead Paint?
If you or someone you love has been exposed to lead paint, or has shown symptoms consistent with lead exposure, you should speak to a doctor as soon as possible to be tested for potential lead poisoning. You should also speak to a lawyer with experience handling toxic exposure cases like yours. They can review your circumstances and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your situation.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.