BASIC LEAD (PB) FACTS 101 - LEAD PAINT DEFENSE ATTORNEY SUMMARY

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


                               LEAD = Symbol : Pb ("Plumbum")
               Atomic Number =  82
                Melting Point    =  327.5  Degrees Centigrade
                Boiling Point    =   1740.0   Degrees Centigrade
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Lead is an element that occurs naturally in the earth's crust. It makes up about 0.0013 of the earth's core. There are high concentrations of lead in some rock formations, and these mineral sources are mined and the lead is concentrated by smelting. Lead contamination of surface soils occurs at mining and smelting sites, and many people live nearby these sites. The lead from smelters is used to make many types of products and thus people have spread it through the environment in many ways. Currently, probably the major consumer product from lead in the United States is lead acid batteries. Lead used to be in paint and gasoline; but no more in the United States. In 1978 the Federal government banned the use of leaded paint for consumer and residential purposes. Batteries are considered industrial in nature. And, by the way, "lead" pencils do not contain the element lead, since pencils are considered a consumer product pursuant to the 1978 Federal law.


Although the actual date of discovery of lead is unknown, it is believed to have been used for utilitarian purpose for over 6,000 years ( since about 4,000 BC).  The abundance use of lead by the Roman Empire is believed to have contributed to its downfall. The Romans added it to sweeten their wine and other drinks, their plumbing, viaducts, cooking utensils, other foodstuffs and products, etc. Eventually its use caused severe medical problems and abnormalities in the Roman population. needless to say, consumption (ingestion or inhalation) of lead in sufficient quantities can be hazardous to the human; and particularly in infants and young children up to age 6.


Lead can be found in many places in our society, including: the air we breathe, the soil, dust, drinking water, pipes and other plumbing items,  foreign-made toys, furniture, pottery, cosmetics, jewelry, job and industrial sites, and many other products and sources. It is "interrupted" lead paint that can be harmful; such as lead paint chips, flakes, dust, etc., that children ingest or inhale. "Uninterrupted" lead paint is not considered to be hazardous.