Thousands of Indiana residents living near an old lead smelting plant are being forced out of their homes due to widespread environmental contamination. For more than 30 years, emissions from a now defunct lead refinery have seeped into the region’s soil and water, creating a dangerous and potentially hazardous situation for nearby communities. Children in these areas are undergoing testing to determine if they have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead.
Unfortunately, the residents in this region were not made aware until very recently that their air, soil and water could pose a serious health risk. Back in 2011, the Centers for Disease Control released a report stating that the soil, air and drinking water near this former smelting plant posed no potential harm to children or families. However, a recent investigation by Reuters has found that this 2011 report was misleading and was created using incomplete data.
This situation is extremely dangerous because local residents were never warned to take precautions in order to avoid exposure to harmful levels of lead. In fact, the investigation revealed that nearly 22% of children in this region of Indiana tested positive for elevated blood levels.
Click here to read more about this investigation from Reuters.
When young children are exposed to high levels of lead, it can lead to a lifetime of devastating health problems. Exposure to lower amounts of lead:
- Can slow a child’s development
- May cause symptoms such as aggression, ADD and ADHD
- Can cause learning difficulties
- Antisocial behavior and more.
In more extreme cases of lead poisoning, children may be at risk for serious brain-related medical problems including brain swelling (encephalitis), convulsions, coma, or even death.
If your child has been exposed to lead due to old lead paint, environmental contamination, or any other factor, contact The Yost Legal Group right away at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential consultation. The Yost Legal Group is made up of experienced Baltimore Lead Poisoning attorneys that will fight hard to protect your rights and secure the justice you deserve.
When you call The Yost Legal Group, we will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you. You will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and there is never a fee until we recover for you.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights