Lead Poisoning Trial Opens in New York

New York faces a possible multimillion-dollar judgment in a suit stemming from one of the worst cases of lead poisoning in city history.

The case, filed by a family that charges 19 of their children ingested lead paint while living in city-subsidized housing, went to trial in Brooklyn Monday.

Rachelle Scott says her two children, three siblings and 14 nieces and nephews may look normal but all are suffering the effects of lead poisoning and will have problems for the rest of their lives.

The lawsuit charges the city with negligence, neglect and recklessly ignoring hazardous conditions at the Brooklyn Arms welfare hotel and an apartment in Bedford-Stuyvestant where the family lived between 1981 and 1994, the New York Daily News reported.

It wasn’t until 2004 that New York City adopted a statute that made landlords responsible for keeping properties housing children lead-free.

Lead poisoning causes reading and learning disabilities, reduced attention span and other behavioral problems in children.