Is One-Time Exposure to Lead Paint Dust Dangerous?

Most lead poisoning cases involve people who were exposed to small amounts of lead over a period of months or years. Still, one exposure to a significant amount of lead dust could cause lead poisoning.

Children under the age of six are especially prone to lead poisoning, which means short-term exposure to small amounts of lead can be especially dangerous for them.

Below, our experienced Maryland lead paint poisoning lawyers discuss one-time exposure to lead, including how it might happen and the potential health effects. If you or your loved one were exposed to lead and have lead poisoning, we may be able to help you take legal action.

Contact us to schedule your free consultation: 410-401-9979.

What is Lead Poisoning?

Lead poisoning means lead has accumulated in your body over time – anyone with a detectable amount of lead has lead poisoning. It happens when the victim ingests or inhales lead-containing materials, or when lead is absorbed through the skin.

Once lead gets in your bloodstream, it can be absorbed into tissues and bones. This toxic heavy metal interferes with essential enzymes, disrupting normal cell function. This leads to long-term damage, especially in the nervous system, but it can affect nearly every organ and system in your body. Even low levels of lead can result in harmful effects.

What Causes One-Time or Short-Term Lead Exposure to Happen?

Lead poisoning victims either inhaled, swallowed or suffered skin contact with lead dust.

Some of the most common sources of lead exposure include:

Older Homes and Buildings

One of the most common sources of lead exposure is lead paint dust in old buildings. If you disturb lead paint, dust can get into the air, and it may take more than an hour for it to settle.

Even being in an old house one time could expose you to lead. That said, it may not be enough lead to cause significant health problems. If you get exposed to small amounts of lead many times, your odds of suffering lead poisoning increase dramatically.

It is important to be cautious around older homes in the Baltimore area and throughout Maryland. There are a lot of older homes here and lead may not have been safely removed from these structures. Lead-based paint could still be on the walls or woodwork in older homes. Landlords and property owners have legal responsibilities to inform potential buyers and tenants about the presence of lead.

Lead-Based Paint

One of the main sources of lead is older buildings where builders used lead-based paint. Lead-based paint can also be found in older children’s toys and furniture.

Many children who suffer lead poisoning ate lead paint chips from deteriorating paint.

Contaminated Water

You could suffer lead poisoning from drinking contaminated water, such as water from a faucet with brass plumbing fixtures that were soldered with lead. Some water pipes that are still in service may contain lead, which can seep into the water, poisoning those who drink water that goes through these pipes.

Other Sources of Lead Poisoning

These are some of the other potential sources of lead poisoning:

• Imported Goods: Some toys, cosmetics, jewelry, and pottery made outside the U.S. may contain lead.
• Contaminated Soil: Lead dust from pain or gasoline containing lead could fall onto the soil. These lead particles can remain there for years. Soil around older building is more likely to contain lead particles.
• Traditional Medicines: Certain folk remedies, like Ayurvedic medicines or traditional Chinese medicines, may contain lead.
• Food Contamination: Lead can be present in imported foods or spices and in contaminated soil where crops are grown.
• Auto and Aviation Fuels: Leaded gasoline and aviation fuels may still be used in certain places.
• Electronics: Some older electronics contain lead in solder or components.
• Imported Canned Goods: Canned food from countries where lead solder is still used may pose a risk.
• Pottery Glazes: Some ceramics, porcelain and china are covered with glazes that contain lead.

What Are the Common Risk Factors for One Exposure to Lead?

There are many occupations that put workers at higher risk of lead exposure, including:

• Manufacturing, especially being around smelting and recycling
• Welding
• Construction
• Mining
• Pipe fitting
• Home renovation/repair, as workers may strip lead paint
• Battery manufacturing
• Painting
• Auto repair
• Making stained glass
• Fishing, as you could handle lead sinkers
• People who work with firearms at shooting ranges

People who work in these occupations could encounter lead many times each day. If you are near a home renovation or auto mechanic one time you could potentially be exposed to lead paint dust.

These workers could also expose others if lead dust gets onto their clothes or in their hair. Sometimes lead dust may get brought home this way, and it could be released into the air in the home.

What Are the Risks of Short-Term Lead Exposure for Children, Adults and Pregnant Women?

Even one exposure to lead dust can have serious health consequences, especially for vulnerable groups:

• Children: Children under six are at the highest risk. Their developing nervous systems make them more susceptible to lead’s harmful effects. Short-term exposure, even in small amounts, can affect cognitive development and cause behavioral issues. The World Health Organization says children absorb four to five times as much lead as adults. Young children also put a lot of things into their mouths that they should not.
• Adults: While adults are less likely to suffer severe health issues from short-term exposure compared to children, they may still experience symptoms such as headaches, abdominal pain, and muscle weakness. Long-term exposure or high levels can lead to cardiovascular problems and other health issues.
• Pregnant Women: Pregnant women exposed to lead can face risks including premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays for the baby. Lead can cross the placental barrier, affecting fetal development.

What do I Need to Know About Preventing Lead Poisoning?

There are many steps you can take to help lower the risk of lead poisoning for you and your loved ones:

• Test Your Home: If your home was built before 1978, you should have it inspected by professionals for lead paint, pipes, or other sources of lead contamination. Make sure they use safe renovation practices if they discover any lead that they need to be removed.
• Take Your Shoes Off Before Entering Your Home: Removing your shoes before entering your house can help to prevent lead paint dust from being released into the air.
• Avoid Letting Children Play in Soil: Sandboxes can accumulate a lot of things, which may include lead dust. You need to be especially careful with soil around older buildings.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly clean floors, windowsills, and other surfaces to remove dust or chips from lead-based paint.
• Maintain a Healthy Diet: Sticking to a healthy diet can also help lower the risk of lead poisoning. For example, try to make sure your children have enough calcium, vitamin C and iron in their diet. This makes it harder for children’s bodies to absorb lead.
• Consistently Wash Hands and Toys: Wash your hands regularly and encourage frequent handwashing with the others in your household, especially before eating. You should also regularly clean children’s toys and pacifiers to prevent ingestion of lead dust.
• Use Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking: If you suspect you have lead in your pipes, use only cold tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing baby formula. You should also run cold water for a full minute before using the water.
• Check Imported Products: It is best to avoid using imported toys, ceramics, cosmetics, and food products that may contain lead. If you do use these imported goods, keep an eye out for product recalls.
• Wear Protective Gear: If you work in industries involving lead, use personal protective equipment and avoid bringing contaminated clothing home.
• Practice Safe Hobbies: Make sure you have proper ventilation, and you use other safety measures when engaging in hobbies that involve lead, such as soldering or shooting sports.
• Have Children Tested: Regularly screen children for lead exposure, especially if they live in older homes or areas that are known to be contaminated with lead.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?

There are various symptoms that may indicate lead poisoning. If you were only exposed to a small amount of lead, you may not develop lead poisoning. That means it is highly unlikely you would experience symptoms of lead poisoning.

Some symptoms to watch for include:

• Pain in your joints
• Pain in your abdomen
• Trouble concentrating or remembering things
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Hearing impairment
• Miscarriages
• Premature births
• Stillbirths
• Headaches
• Constipation
• Trouble with memory and concentration
• Disorders affecting your mood
• Seizures
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Lower sperm count

Signs of Lead Poisoning in Children

If your child was exposed to lead, he or she may experience:

• Hyperactivity
• Lack of appetite
• Constipation
• Learning difficulties
• Developmental delays
• Fatigue or sluggishness
• Irritability
• Weight loss that cannot be explained
• Lower IQ
• Delayed puberty
• Seizures

What are Lead Poisoning Symptoms in Newborns?

Newborns can be exposed to lead before birth if the mother has elevated lead levels during her pregnancy. The symptoms might not be as obvious as they are in older children. At-risk pregnant women and their newborns should be regularly screened for signs of lead poisoning.

Signs of lead poisoning in newborns often include:

• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Slow growth after birth
• Developmental delays
• Learning difficulties as they grow older

When do Lead Poisoning Symptoms Appear?

Lead poisoning symptoms often develop slowly. They might not show up until your body has accumulated dangerous levels of lead. Symptoms like developmental delays or learning disabilities could take months or years to show up in children.

In adults, symptoms like high blood pressure or joint pain may also appear gradually. Acute exposure, such as one-time exposure, can cause more immediate symptoms, but most cases of lead poisoning result from chronic, low-level exposure over time.

Steps to Take After Lead Exposure

There are steps you can take if you are concerned you were just in a situation where lead exposure may have occurred:

1. Clean Up: Immediately clean any areas where lead dust might have settled. Use a HEPA vacuum to avoid spreading dust further. Wash your hands and exposed skin thoroughly. This is particularly important if your child was playing outside of an old house, because the soil may have been contaminated.
2. Get Tested: A blood lead test can determine if lead levels in your system are elevated. Testing is especially crucial for children and pregnant women.
3. Consult a Healthcare Professional: Seek medical advice to monitor for symptoms and get recommendations for treatment if lead poisoning is detected.
4. Consider Legal Action: If exposure occurred due to negligence, you might have grounds for a legal claim. Consult with a personal injury lawyer to explore your options.

Unfortunately, you might not know when you have been exposed to lead. If it happens once, it may not be a big deal because you may not have been exposed to a significant amount.

What Are Some of the Legal Considerations for Lead Exposure Victims?

If your exposure to lead dust was due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Legal considerations include:

• Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are typically required to address lead hazards in rental properties. Failure to do so may lead to legal claims.
• Property Owners: Owners of properties with lead-based paint may be liable for health issues resulting from exposure.
• Public Buildings: If exposure occurred in a public building, legal action could be taken against the responsible government entity.
• Evidence Collection: Document the presence of lead paint and exposure conditions. This includes photographs, maintenance records, and witness statements.
• Statute of Limitations: Be aware of the time limits for filing a claim, as these vary. Consulting a legal expert can help ensure timely action.

Call Today to Learn More About Our Legal Services

Our attorneys have secured millions in compensation on behalf of those who have suffered lead poisoning. This includes a $3 million verdict for a 28-year-old who suffered permanent brain damage after being exposed to lead paint as a child.

If you or a loved one suffered lead poisoning, we may be able to help you. We can discuss your situation in a free legal consultation. There are no upfront fees if you hire our firm.

Call today to learn more: 410-401-9979.