Over time and as the world of science advances, we tend to discover that certain substances that were once thought of as safe and effective are actually extremely dangerous if people are exposed to them. Asbestos is one example, as this flame-retardant substance was once used in buildings all over the United States until it was discovered that exposure to it can lead to terminal diseases. The attorneys at Fitzgerald Law Firm have defended the rights of countless children over the past four-plus decades who were severely harmed by exposure to lead paint.
When these substances are found to be extremely harmful, they are either removed from the market or their use is severely limited. Based on the release of a recent study, there could be additional chemical compounds that are added to the list of things that are or at least should no longer be present near unborn children, newborns or younger children overall. A full copy of the study can be found here, and needless to say its conclusions are disturbing.
The basic conclusion of the study is that the number of industrial chemicals that are known to cause neurodevelopmental disabilities among children has doubled from 6 to 12 over the past 7 years. Examples of these neurodevelopmental disabilities include autism, dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Perhaps partially as a result, approximately 15 percent of children born in the United States develop some sort of neurodevelopmental disability.
Below are the six chemicals that have been added to the list of harmful substances in recent years:
- Manganese – Manganese can be found in drinking water, and studies have shown cognitive impairment in children who have consumed it around the world.
- Fluoride – Fluoride is another substance that can be found in drinking water, and consumption of high amounts of it can lead to neurological problems.
- Chlorpyrifos – Chlorpyrifos is a compound found in pesticides that are often used on golf courses and on agricultural land to control mosquitos.
- PBDEs – PBDEs are used to retard flames in several different consumer products, among them furniture and even children’s clothing.
- DDT – DDT is a notorious pesticide that was banned in the United States more than 40 years ago, but it is still used in other countries around the world.
- Tetrachloroethylene – Tetrachloroethylene is used in dry cleaning and it is present in some paints, and if it gets into drinking water it can lead to neurological damage.
The study goes on to label the harm that’s done to children due to exposure to these and other chemicals – known as developmental neurotoxicity – as a pandemic around the world.
As stated above, we have served many clients as lead paint lawyers over the years because of the harm that exposure to this substance can inflict on developing brains. We hope that something is done in the near future to protect children, as the costs of exposure can be enormous.