Queens Lead Poisoning

Home to roughly 2.3 million people, Queens is New York City’s second largest borough by population, and its largest in terms of size. With its combination of world-class green spaces, restaurants and cultural amenities, Queens has become one of the most desirable places to live in New York State.

Yet Queens also struggles with a serious threat to public health: Lead poisoning. A 2017 investigation by Reuters discovered that in Queens and other New York City areas children have tested positive for lead poisoning at a rate more than double that of Flint, Michigan — a community that’s been devastated by lead contamination in its water supply.

If you live in Queens, and you or a loved one has been exposed to lead through the negligence of others, it’s imperative that you speak to an experienced lead poisoning attorney today.

The Facts about Lead

Lead is a highly dangerous neurotoxin that can cause permanent brain damage or even death when inhaled or ingested. Because the housing stock in Queens tends to be older than in many other U.S. regions (70-percent of New York’s houses were built in the 1950s or earlier, when lead-based paint was common), the risks to local residents are greater. One time exposure to paint chips or lead dust from peeling paint can cause lifetime injuries in children.

The neighborhood of West Queens has been one of the most deeply affected by the lead poisoning epidemic, recording 118 cases in 2011 and 65 in 2015. That’s a dramatic difference when compared to neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village/Soho, which recorded zero such cases in both years. These numbers mean parents in Queens should be particularly vigilant about preventing lead paint exposure.

Even a relatively minor amount of lead exposure can lead to serious health issues. These symptoms include developmental delays, cognitive impairment, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. It’s important to remember that there is no known safe level of lead in the blood.

The CDC estimates that there are four million children currently living in homes with lead contamination. Roughly 535,000 of these children aged one to five have lead levels high enough to cause damage to their health.

The Frankel Law Firm has had years of experience handling lead poisoning cases. We have litigated important and precedent setting cases. If you have questions or are seeking legal representation in connection with childhood lead poisoning, call the Frankel Law Firm. We have a deep knowledge of the legal issues facing lead poisoning victims within the City of New York and the State of New York.

Lead Poisoning Resources

• New York Lead Poisoning Lawyers
• Lead Poisoning of Children in NYCHA Projects
• What Are My Rights When My Landlord Failed to Disclose Lead Paint Hazards as Required
• Can I Sue My Landlord for Lead Poisoning? Part 1
• My Child Was Lead Poisoned. Can I Sue My Landlord? Part 2
• New York City Lead Poisoning Lawyers – What Is Their Role in Enforcing the Turnover Provisions of Local Law #1 of 2004?