For eight years in the 1990s, Attorney Charles Ware hosted the extremely popular legal advice radio program "The Lawyer's Mailbox"; the Number One (#1)legal advice radio program in the Mid-Atlantic Region,on WEAA - 88.9 FM, Morgan State University Radio in Baltimore, Maryland.
www.CharlesJeromeWare.com

Monday, May 18, 2015

BALTIMORE LEAD POISONING FACTS AND REALITIES: MARYLAND LANDLORD DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

www.charlesjeromeware.com                  " Here to make a Difference."

Charles Jerome Ware, LLC is a premier, nationally recognized and respected, Maryland-based lead poisoning (Plumbism) defense law firm. For an initial courtesy consultation, contact the firm at (410) 720-6129. We can help you.

Despite  all that is said about lead, lead poisoning and lead paint --- the facts are:

(1) To the best of our knowledge, significant production of lead (Pb) has occurred since at least 3000 BC.
(2) The ancient Roman Empire is credited with being the first society to widely use lead( Pb)--- primarily in their famous plumbing, pottery and cooking wares, and even as an extremely popular "sweet" additive to their unremarkable wine. It is the Romans' tremendous affection for adding lead (Pb) to their wine that is credited partially with the unhealthy downfall of that society. They poisoned themselves [ Ahhh, the "good life."   )  : ].
(3) As stated above with reference to its fatal addition to Roman wine for its "sweetness", lead (Pb) can be an attraction to children for the same reason. make no mistake, lead that is ingested or inhaled in significant amounts can be hazardous to the human body  --- particularly in children up to age 6 years.
(4) One of the major dangers of lead (Pb) when ingested or inhaled is its relative inability to breakdown : i.e., it is not able to dissolve in water or biodegrade, dissipate, decay, or burn. It is estimated that over 10 million metric tons of lead residue is in the earth's environment; and it's not going anywhere else.
(5) When lead paint was marketed and sold before prior to 1978 in the United States it was a perfectly legal consumer and commercial product in tremendous demand because it was, among other things, durable and washable.
(6) Consumer marketing, sale and use of lead paint was banned by the Federal government in late  1977.
(7)  Baltimore City was the first jurisdiction to, in 1951, ban the use of lead pigment in interior paint in Baltimore housing.
(8) We respectfully disagree with those judges and other commentators who say that lead paint poisoning (Plumbism) cases in Baltimore, in many circumstances, are "indefensible". Lead in Baltimore comes from a number of sources, not just lead paint.
(9) Other sources of toxic lead in Baltimore can come from: drinking water, work clothes, soil, playgrounds, food and drinks, pipes and other plumbing fixtures, toys (particularly those from many foreign manufactures such as China, etc,), jewelry, cosmetics, pottery, folk remedies, ceramics, dust, trees, plants, employment locations, hobbies, other products, and even the air we breathe, etc. Lead is everywhere --- not just in "legacy" (old) lead paint.
(10) Lead paint removal is important for landlords to do, but improper lead abatement or removal can increase lead poisoning hazards by creating more lead-infused dust throughout the property. Do not use un-certified self-help or handy workers for this important work on rental properties to others. You may cut-corners on property where you live (owner-occupied property)., but not on property your tenants live.
(11) Maryland law requires that anyone who acts as a supervisor or contractor for the purpose of abating lead paint shall be accredited by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Workers who perform "purposeful" lead (Pb) abatement or removal shall be trained by a training provider approved by MDE.
(12) "Uninterrupted" lead paint, alone, is not considered harmful to the human body. It is when lead paint is "interrupted" (chipped, cracked, peeled, in dust, etc.) , and ingested or inhaled, that it can be harmful to the human body in sufficient amounts.



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