A recent study published in The Pediatrics Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in June 2014 found, as many prior studies have, that there is a link not only between lead exposure and a decrease in children’s intelligence, but also with lead exposure and children suffering behavioral and emotional problems.  Blood Lead Concentrations and Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Problems, a Cohort Study, found that these relationships exist even at levels below the current level of blood lead poisoning, presently defined by state and local law as 10 micrograms per deciliter and higher.  These findings are consistent with prior publications by the United States Centers for Disease Control warning that there is no safe level of lead in a child’s blood and that adverse effects occur at levels below current definitions of lead poisoning.  The current level of concern with which the CDC and State Departments of Health work with is 5 micrograms per deciliter of blood lead in children six years of age and younger.

This study concluded that blood lead concentrations of 6.4 micrograms per deciliter are associated with increased risk of behavioral problems in preschool children, including internalizing and pervasive developmental problems.  The association was established by analyzing different patterns of problems experienced by the children depending on age and sex of the child.  These emotional and behavioral problems are most commonly attributed to the children’s frustration in not being able to perform at the level at which they are not only expected but which they desire.    Years of frustration and inability to perform in an academic setting have in many cases contributed to a documented higher drop-out rate in lead poisoned children.  Prior studies have also linked juvenile delinquency and increased incidents of unlawful activity in teen years and adulthood to a history of elevated levels of blood lead in childhood.

Pervasive developmental disorders are often diagnosed as being on the so-called autism spectrum.  Autism is not a disease.  Rather it is the presence of a number of symptoms or difficulties the child experiences.  To the extent that these symptoms are caused as the result of lead exposure and lead poisoning, and that the autism diagnoses could not be made in the absence of these symptoms, it has been successfully argued that lead poisoning is a substantial factor in causing “autism” or, to be more accurate, a misdiagnosis of autism in lead poisoned children.

This recent study of 1,341 preschool children further supports the mountain of evidence that lead poisoning has far reaching and permanent consequences on both a child’s cognition and ability to socially interact.

In almost all childhood lead poisoning cases, exposure to lead based paint hazards in the child’s home is the cause of the child’s elevated blood lead levels.  Environmental inspections identify the source of the lead exposure.  Over the last twenty years lead poisoning lawyer Philip Monier has helped shape the law in the states of New York and New Jersey to hold the owners and managing agents of residential properties responsible for failing to use reasonable care in maintaining apartments where children under the age of seven reside or spend a substantial amount of time.  The law requires these owners and operators of residential housing to take reasonable measures to avoid the cognitive damages and behavioral and emotional consequences caused as a result of childhood lead exposure and lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning lawyer Philip Monier has successfully obtained compensation for lead poisoned children, including children who have also been diagnosed with autism, autistic-like symptoms, or pervasive developmental disorders.   If your child has been exposed to lead or has been diagnosed with lead poisoning it is important to take the necessary steps to protect his or her right to compensation.  Please contact us for a free consultation.