New Study Reveals Link between Low Levels of Lead Exposure and School Suspensions

Although most parents understand that high levels of exposure to lead can be hazardous for children, a new study reveals that even relatively low levels of exposure to lead may harm kids.  A new study published in the Environmental Research journal reveals that children exposed to even moderate amounts of lead before the age of three are three times more likely to be suspended from school by the time they reach the age of nine or ten.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has previously indicated that there is no level of exposure to lead that should be considered safe for kids, it also has suggested that lead exposure becomes a cause for concern when it reached between ten and twenty micrograms. While the agency previously dismissed the likelihood of serious risk to kids with under five micrograms of lead in their blood, the new study reveals that a third of students who experienced this level of exposure had been suspended compared to only ten percent of students with no exposure.  The researchers also found that exposure to lead accounted for almost 25 percent of the difference in suspensions between white and African-American students in Milwaukee schools

The most prevalent source of exposure to this toxic substance is lead dust, lead paint and contaminated soil or drinking water.  Although many parents presume that most children experience lead poisoning by ingesting paint chips, the most common way that children suffer toxic levels of exposure is from inhaling lead dust in old buildings. 

The increased risk of lead exposure from older buildings also may play a factor in why a higher number of African-American students were affected than white students given that there is a higher population density of African-Americans in urban centers where older buildings tend to predominate.  Older poorly maintained rental properties in the Atlanta Metro area may be an environment that exposes the children of tenants to lead exposure because paint may peel off the walls or become suspended in the air of the rental unit.

Although public agencies are supposed to conduct building inspections to identify potential lead exposure issues, there are approximately four million households in the U.S. with children that have suffered lead exposure according to the CDC.  Our Atlanta lead paint poisoning attorneys at Montlick and Associates investigate will investigate our clients' cases to determine the potential source of exposure so that we can hold the property owner or other negligent party accountable for our clients’ injuries. 

If you or your child is the victim of lead exposure, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Montlick and Associates are available to provide effective legal representation to those throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.  No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333).  You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.