An incredibly sad and disturbing story about a 2-year-old girl being exposed to lead paint chips has emerged from Washington, DC. In this issue, we’ll talk about how the young girl was poisoned and the possible life-long health issues she may be facing.
How the Young Girl Was Poisoned
According to a news report from WTTG Fox 5, the young girl’s bout with severe lead poisoning started just after her family moved into an apartment. Lead paint chips were found throughout the apartment, as well as in the yards.
The child’s mother said she noticed behavioral changes in the girl about “three to five weeks” after they moved in. The changes included the child not sleeping at night, having no appetite, experiencing regression in her speech and being combative with her siblings.
Doctor Says He “Hasn’t Seen Anything Like This in 30 Years”
According to their website, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health actions need to be initiated when the blood lead levels in a child between the ages of 1 – 5 reach 5 micrograms per deciliter.
When the young girl in the case above was tested for lead poisoning, her blood lead level was 120 micrograms.
The girl’s father said a doctor told him that “he hasn’t seen a lead (poisoning) case in children like this in over 30 years.”
Apartment Passed Inspection…but Questions Remain
The young girl’s mother said that after the family moved into the apartment, they made authorities aware of the chipping paint. Additionally, the bathroom tub – including its fixtures – had been completely spray painted.
The director of the Children’s Law Center in Washington said that, by law, only visual inspection of a house or apartment is required before a family moves in. The City of Washington later clarified that the apartment initially failed an inspection before the family moved in, but the landlord had corrected a host of violations.
The family plans to file separate lawsuits; one against the City and another against their landlord.
Arizona State Researchers Confirm Lead Poisoning Can Result in Autism
In a study completed in 2013, researchers with Arizona State University found that children with autism they studied had higher levels of metals in their bodies than other children their age.
The Bottom Line on Autism – Thus Far
We want to make it as clear as possible that while 1 in every 88 children are diagnosed with autism each year, there is still no clear case for what actually causes the condition.
While genetics are believed to play a significant contributing role in the development of autism, there’s also an array of studies showing that toxins from our environment are also supporting characters.
The Fitzgerald Law Firm is Passionate About Autism and Can Help You
The Fitzgerald Law Firm has proven to be highly successful at securing favorable judgements and compensation on behalf of children diagnosed with autism. If you feel your child has developed autistic-like symptoms from exposure to toxins or malpractice, contact us today at 800-323-9900 for a free consultation.