Florida Water Contamination Attorneys
The nation has watched in stunned amazement as the tale of water contamination and willful denial by the government. The initial cover up took place over an 18 month period of time. It has finally come to light. The local news about lead contamination in the water and the following cover up is one people can relate to across the country. The problem of lead and other contaminates in the drinking water is not isolated to Flint, MI. This is leading many communities and individuals to test their water supplies (and the water flowing into homes) in order to determine if the water is safe to drink. If not, you can expect to see a rise in water contamination lawsuits across the country.
The Water Contamination Problem in Flint
A task force appointed by the state claims the initial fault lies with the state Department of Environmental Quality. They failed to treat the water from Flint River with an antic-corrosive agent federal law mandated. The result of this failure was the corrosion of iron water mains, which turned the water brown. Worse still, with so many service lines in Flint made of lead, the untreated water caused lead from these lines to leach into the water as well.
The reason the problem is so big in Flint is because it’s a widespread issue which the state government denied for a lengthy period of time. The scope of the problem is made worse because the damage to the service lines is now contaminating the fresh water flowing in.
What’s the Problem with Lead in the Water?
Lead in the water can lead to many negative, life-long health problems. Not just physical health, but developmental health as well. There are no safe levels of lead in the body at any age.
The worst of the health consequences, though, occur in children and unborn babies who have brains and nervous systems that are still developing. While the current estimates in Flint are the 8,657 children under the age of six may have been exposed to lead, the fact is these numbers do not include fetuses who may have been exposed or visiting children and pregnant women.
So, what are the health conditions lead contamination can cause in children?
Milder symptoms of lead poisoning in young children can vary greatly and include:
- Headaches
- Stomach pains
- Behavioral problems
- Anemia
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Memory loss
- Constipation
- Irritability
Lead can also affect the brain’s development in young children. Infants, toddlers, and young children have a hard time explaining the aches and pains they feel, which can be a problem for parents and medical professionals.
Once in the body, lead is quickly transported to the brain, bones, teeth, liver, and kidneys. In addition to aches, pains, and developmental delays, acute lead poisoning can result in death.
In adults the symptoms are different, but can still be quite severe. The following symptoms are among the many.
- Miscarriages and stillbirths
- Abnormal sperm
- Reduce sperm count or motility
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Colic
- Hearing loss
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Seizures
- Neuropathy
- Anemia
If you or a loved one has been exposed to contaminated water, now is the time to contact a lawyer. The short and long-term health consequences of lead exposure from water contamination is expensive, may be painful, and could lead to a lifetime of developmental delays and may even render victims unable to work to support their families. It’s one of the most devastating toxins for exposure.
You need justice if you’re a victim of contaminated water. We can help. Call our law firm today or fill out our free case evaluation form online. We’re here for you 24/7 and want to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
- http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/11/health/toxic-tap-water-flint-michigan/
- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/01/19/michigan-flint-water-contamination/78996052/
- http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lead-poisoning.html
- http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs379/en/
- http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html