The treatment for childhood lead poisoning, known as chelation,
historically often involved a painful hospital procedure of injections
that causes lead to be excreted in the urine. Recently oral chelation
drugs have been developed which can be administered without hospitalization.
Chelation procedures do not reverse damage already done to the
body and it is thought that lead deposited in the brain tissue
is not removed by this procedure. Further treatment requires careful
clinical and laboratory surveillance of the child to ensure that
there is not continued exposure.
Just as important in treatment of lead poisoning is removal of
the source of the lead. The removal process can be an extreme
danger in itself if the child is on the premises before removal
of all traces of lead is accomplished. The increased paint chips
and dust in the air and on the surface of floors, rugs, furnishings,
and other belongings during removal can result in re-exposure
and raise a child's blood lead levels above pre-chelation levels.
Your Legal Rights
If your child or your family member has been exposed to lead-based products such as chipping lead paint, or you have experienced lead poisoning symptoms, you may be eligible to file a claim.
