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The Consequences of Toxic Lead Exposure

Lead is a soft metal that is especially toxic to young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened or otherwise compromised immune system. Toxic exposure in children, the fetuses of pregnant women or the elderly can lead to:

  • memory loss,
  • forgetfulness,
  • learning disabilities,
  • attention deficit disorders,
  • behavioral problems,
  • stunted growth,
  • impaired hearing
  • kidney damage, and
  • permanent brain damage.

At high and continuous levels of exposure, children have died from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning has also been associated with criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency.

Source: National Safety Council Fact Sheet, “Lead Poisoning”, accessed December 22, 2006.

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Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Children

Symptoms of lead poisoning in children may be hard to identify because they mimic many other illnesses. The National Network for Child Care identifies the following symptoms as possible warning signs of lead poisoning:

  • stomachache and cramps,
  • irritability,
  • fatigue,
  • frequent vomiting,
  • constipation,
  • poor appetite,
  • headache, and
  • insomnia.

A test for lead poisoning includes a blood lead test, a red blood cell count to check for anemia, or low red blood cell count, a complete physical examination, and a thorough neurological examination.

Sources National Network for Child Care, “Lead Exposure in the Home,” September 1998, accessed December 22, 2006; Patient Page, “Lead Poisoning,” Journal of the American Medical Association 293:18, May 11, 2005, accessed December 22. 2006.

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Lead Exposure in Pregnancy

Lead causes special problems for pregnant women because lead crosses the placenta, easily transferring to the fetus. Pregnancy itself can cause lead that has been stored in the bones for decades to leak into the blood stream of the mother, causing the child to be born with an elevated level of lead in their bloodstream.

Source: National Safety Council Fact Sheet, “Lead Poisoning”, accessed December 22, 2006.

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Lead Poisoning in Adults

Toxic lead exposure can lead to numerous problems in adults with compromised immune systems, including:

  • anemia,
  • high blood pressure,
  • nerve disorders,
  • seizures,
  • muscle and joint pain,
  • nausea and dyspepsia,
  • constipation,
  • increased irritability,
  • memory loss, and
  • problems concentrating.

Source: National Safety Council Fact Sheet, “Lead Poisoning”, accessed December 22, 2006.

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Durham Lead Lawsuit

In March of 2006, a child living in the Penrith townhomes area of Durham, NC was poisoned by lead later found to be in the drinking water in her home. It was the second case of lead poisoning linked to a North Carolina public water system (Source: Raleigh News & Observer, “Durham withheld bad lead-test results,” December 22, 2006).

On December 22, 2006 the Raleigh News & Observer published the results of an investigation in which the city of Durham admitted it failed to notify Durham residents of the possibility that their drinking water could be dangerously toxic. Should there now be a Durham lead lawsuit brought against the city?

Homes built before the 1985 ban are at the highest risk for lead contamination. There are an estimated 65,000 houses and apartments in Durham that were built in or before 1985 that could potentially be at risk.

The city of Durham, as a provider of drinking water to residents, may have shown gross negligence to hundreds of children by failing to warn them of the potential dangerous substance in their drinking water. Lead is a known toxic substance linked to:

  • brain damage,
  • juvenile delinquency,
  • stunted growth,
  • kidney damage, and
  • attention deficit disorders.

It is especially troubling because lead exposure may show no immediate symptoms or may even show symptoms that could be misdiagnosed as dozens of other common childhood illnesses.

If the home in which you reside was built in or before 1985, you and your family may be at risk for toxic lead exposure that could have serious and long-lasting health consequences. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is investigating possible litigation against the city of Durham in this matter. You may be able to secure compensation for injuries that your family has suffered as a result of drinking toxic tap water. More importantly, you may be able to stop the city of Durham from harming any more families through what may be an intentional effort to mislead the public about the safety of their drinking water.

Contact us today or give us a call at 1-800-220-7321 to see if you have a case. Our personal injury legal team will take your information and contact you within one business day to let you know their opinion on your case. There is never any obligation to hire our law firm, and the call is free.

Lead in Durham Water: Timeline of Events

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you are seeking a personal injury lawyer you have come to the right place. We know that accidents and injuries are an inevitable part of life, but the fact that accidental mishaps are common does not resolve the pain and suffering accidents can cause. This is especially true if that injury could have been avoided. For example, some drugs are not completely tested for safety or removed from the market despite concerns about them. Some products are found to be dangerous.

If you or a loved one have suffered in an accident, from taking a dangerous drug, using a recalled product or from any other cause, you may be thinking about how to protect your legal rights by consulting with a personal injury attorney. Learning about personal injury litigation, and cases we are currently investigating, may help you determine whether you need the counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer from a firm such as the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin.