Michigan Governor Will Discuss Flint, Michigan Lead Contaminated Water Crisis And His In Tonights State Of The State Address.
Flint, Michigan’s lead contaminated water has effected 100,000 residents, where reports show some 8,600 children, were most likely exposed to the lead-contaminted drinking water, but only have 43 cases of people testing with elevated blood lead-levels. This number is expected to grow as more people are tested. A recent CNN article reports it could take an form of science to clean up the contaminated water in conduction with expensive infrastructure upgrades to replace dangerous and corroded pipes.
The residents of Flint, Michigan have been unable to use the drinking water, that they pay for, drinking, cooking or bathing. The water problems started in 2014, when Flint switched its main water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River to cut costs. News reports indicate that during the weeks following the switch of the water supply to the Flint river in 2014, the state government dismissed complaints that the water tasted bad, was corrosive, and was causing health problems. A task force was eventually formed to help identify the problem and keep local residents safe, but it wasn’t until the fall of 2015 that test results indicated there were elevated levels of lead in the blood of children in the Flint, Michigan area. The city immediately switched back to using water from Lake Huron, but the river water had caused serious damage to the city’s water pipes and caused corrosion damage that could take months and even years to repair.
Governor, Rick Snyder, has been accused of delaying his response to the seriousness of the water situation and for not taking the appropriate safety steps to prevent health risks when switching the Flint Michigan water supply. In the past week, Governor Snyder has issued apologies to residents of Flint and taken an active roll in this water crisis.
Snyder has increased statewide efforts to distribute bottled water along with better water filters to the residents of Flint, Michigan. “As we work to ensure that all Flint residents have access to clean and safe drinking water, we are providing them with the direct assistance they need in order to stretch our resources further,” the governor said in a statement. “The Michigan National Guard is trained and ready to assist the citizens of Flint.” [nytimes.com/2016/01/13/us/troops-to-help-flint-address-water-crisis.html, January 2016]
A spokesperson for the FEMA told has stated in recent news that the request for federal aid had been approved and the agency is working with state officials to come up with a long-term recovery plan. The National Guard troops has been helping the American Red Cross and other volunteers to distribute bottled water, water filters, and water testing kits to the residents of Flint, Michigan.
Symptoms of lead poisoning can include:
High blood pressuer
Mood swings
Joint paints
Stomach pain
Headaches
memory loss
Reproductive problems
Miscarriage
Premature birth
Pain
Mental retardation
Learning disabilities
It could take years before the town of Flint fully recovers from this water emergency and it is believed more people will test with elevated blood lead levels, along with additional contaminated water lawsuits being filed.
