The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reported on elevated lead levels among children of Anoka, Minnesota ammunition plant workers. The department urges all the ammunition plant workers to have their children tested for lead exposure.
Four children of Anoka Federal Ammunition plant workers have been identified to have elevated blood lead levels. The first was detected around November 2021. The second, third, and fourth were spotted in late 2022 and early 2023.
The ammunition plant uses lead to produce sport firearm products.
Due to these reports, MDH pushed the ammunition plant to have workers’ children tested for lead exposure.
The lead exposed to family members is a direct result of lead dust collecting on workers’ clothes and brought home. Lead dust is a heavy substance, so it is harder to remove.
“In the absence of appropriate industrial hygiene practices, lead dust can accumulate on workers’ bodies, clothing, shoes and personal items, and may be brought home unknowingly,” MDH reported on their website.
Exposure to lead can lead to a serious case of lead poisoning.
What is lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning, Mayo Clinic says; “occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over months or years. Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the health effects of lead exposure in children can seriously harm a child’s health. There is no safe amount of lead exposure in children. Even a small amount of lead can lead to lifelong adverse effects.
Exposure to lead can happen when a child swallows, touches or breathes in lead dust particles.
Children exposed to lead could have lifelong effects such as:
- Damaged cognitive development
- Slower development
- Learning and behavior problems
- Hearing and speech issues
- Lower IQ
- Decreased attention span
- Slower performance in school
MDH’s website states, “Additionally, the company has yet to demonstrate that it has made sufficient changes in the operations at the plant to sufficiently reduce the risk of take-home lead dust.”
The department urges the ammunition plant to take additional prevention actions.
Children who have been harmed by lead exposure from a family member who worked at the Anoka Federal Ammunition plant may have the right to compensation for injuries related to their exposure and the damage to their quality of life associated with those injuries.
If you or someone you know who worked at Anoka Federal Ammunition plant has a child with lead exposure health problems or injuries, it is important to reach out to a lawyer who is experienced in handling injury claims as soon as possible to help ensure that your rights are protected in a claim.
Questions About a Lead Poisoning Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one suffered lead poisoning or were affected by the ammunition plant lead exposure, you may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker, PLLC. We are actively pursuing new lead poisoning lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
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