ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Bills that would hold accountable those whose products cause lead poisoning, and taking lead out of drinking water, are moving through legislative committees in the Maryland General Assembly this session.
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony Wednesday on a bill that would allow plaintiffs — ostensibly the city of Baltimore and landlords — to broadly sue manufacturers of lead-based paint for property or economic damages caused by the presence of lead-based paint in residential buildings.
Baltimore in particular would be able to recoup any costs the city has committed to abatement — fixing actual damages and funding educational programs in particular. Lead exposure in young children is linked to developmental delays, learning difficulties, weight loss, hearing loss and abdominal pain.
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3 comments:
An absolute crime if this passes! Those companies were only working to improve the durability of their product, and at the time, lead was legal and deemed safe to use in lots of products, including gasoline. Once it was discovered as harmful, it was the manufacturers who stopped using to. It took about 10 years for the Laws to be made preventing its use.
So, it was the manufacturers that lead the charge to make us a safe world, therefore should not be held responsible for the inefficiency of the government or the slow footedness of the medical researchers.
9:02 maybe you'd feel differently if the only housing you could afford was painted with peeling lead paint? By your logic, if these companies are able to cover up the negative side effects of their product initially, they cannot be held responsible for the negative outcomes? Lead was banned by the Romans in wine and found to be toxic to children in the late 1800's. It's the same as everything else. If it is cheap and makes the company tons of money they don't give a damn about us or our health.
Lead paint was banned in 1978. Homeowners and landlords have had over 30 years to abate the problem and ensure their properties are safe and up to code. Someone is dodging responsibility to protect their tenants alright and it's not the manufacturers.
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