Here’s a “does this still happen in America?” moment: A class-action lawsuit has been filed against a Baltimore hospital for letting children be exposed to high levels of lead as part of a study.

According to AboutLawsuits.com, the subjects involved in the Kennedy Krieger Institute study in the 1990s were poor, minority children living in homes with high levels of toxic lead paint. Researchers wanted to observe the health effects, and failed to inform the parents that their children might be at risk.

Lead paint is toxic. It can cause irreversible brain damage, growth retardation, coma and other serious problems. We drew this ugly picture a couple of years ago. Although it was banned more than 30 years ago, many old and/or poorly maintained homes contain flaking paint that can cause lead poisoning if it is eaten or sucked on, as youngsters are prone to do.