In New York City, a historic mansion that cost $32 million was covered with black lead dust due to an ongoing construction nearby. It has been reported that the house owner has requested damages amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the request has been denied.
(Photo : Pexels/Viktorya Sergeeva)
Historic $32 Million Mansion Covered in Black Lead Dust
The owners of the home, who are seeking damages for $250,000, allege that their pleas for the construction project to employ 'precautions' to reduce the spread of dust have been denied. Nevertheless, they are requesting that the work be halted as long as and unless the dust problem is resolved.
Since September, the townhouse located at 105 East 64th Street has been undergoing renovations and interior demolitions. According to the filing submitted to the Manhattan Supreme Court, by November, the deadly black dust had made its way inside 601-603 Park Avenue, including a bedroom that belonged to a child.
Moreover, the owners' lawsuit noted that the opulent five-bedroom, eight-bathroom residence, which includes an elevator, six fireplaces, and a marble staircase, was 'infiltrated' by black dust when workmen illegally constructed a scaffold on the property and left debris that obstructed the manse's entrances.
As per the legal documents, the construction project manager assured the family that there were 'no health concerns' associated with the dust. However, tests found 'significantly elevated levels of lead. On the other hand, the lawsuit also alleges the presence of asbestos at the construction site, with Igman Ventures LLC being identified as the proprietor on the legal documents.
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Negative Effect of Lead on our Health
One of the metals that can be found in nature is lead. Apart from being present in the air, land, and water, it can also be found in our homes. A condition known as lead poisoning occurs when lead accumulates in the body over some time between months and years.
In the late 1970s, the federal government enacted several regulations to lower the amount of lead that was present in the environment and in the items we use. Despite this, it is frequently discovered in paint, ceramics, pipes, cosmetics, and plumbing supplies.
Since it can affect nearly every organ and system in your body, lead is a hazardous substance. It is a chemical that is harmful to humans and poses several dangerous risks to their health. In particular, young children and the developing fetus are at risk for this condition. According to estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around half a million children between the ages of one and five have elevated lead levels in their blood.
Aside from causing harm to the kidneys and the central and peripheral neurological systems, lead also affects the body's capacity to regulate vitamin D levels. When it comes to the production of red blood cells, lead has a detrimental effect. Seizures, coma, and even death can be brought on by having extremely high amounts of lead. Thus, a child may experience developmental delay, a lower IQ, hyperactivity, learning impairments, behavioral disorders, poor hearing, and stunted growth if they are exposed to lower amounts of the substance.
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