The Danger Of Lead In Flint Water
Lead can have detrimental health effects on the human body. With so much lead that has made its way to the homes of thousands of people in Flint, there is a legitimate fear that significant damage has been done. The Environmental Protection Agency limits the amount of lead in water to 15 micrograms per liter, which most toxicologists think is way too high.
Read: How to determine if you have lead service lines leading to your house.
When lead is absorbed by human body, it affects the frontal cortex of the brain, the area responsible for abstract thinking, planning, and attention, learning and memory. Lead is toxic, and in children, many of the effects can be permanent resulting in life-long disabilities.
Complications include:
- Behavior or attention problems
- Failure at school
- Hearing problems
- Kidney damage
- Reduced IQ
- Slowed body growth
The symptoms of lead poisoning may include:
- Abdominal pain and cramping (usually the first sign of a high, toxic dose of lead poison)
- Aggressive behavior
- Anemia
- Constipation
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Hearing loss
- Irritability
- Loss of previous developmental skills (in young children)
- Low appetite and energy
- Reduced sensations
Very high levels of lead may cause vomiting, staggering walk, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma. It is estimated that more than 3 million workers in the United States are at risk for toxic lead exposure.
Take These Steps To Protect Yourself If You Are A Flint Resident
- Don’t drink the water or brush your teeth with it.
- Don’t cook with the water.
- Don’t shower with it if you have skin conditions or abrasions; children’s skins are particularly sensitive. Minimize inhaling the water vapor while showering and bathing.
- Do not use the water in humidifiers.
- Use bottled water or, if you have a filter recommended by the EPA and other authorities, use with caution as it is unknown if filters fully protect you from the risks.
- Free Water Filter Cartridges
Water filters, bottled water and water testing kits are available at water resource sites that remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are located at:
Fire Station #1 (also a water bottle recycling site), 310 East 5th St.
Fire Station #3, 1525 Martin Luther King Ave.
Fire Station #5 (also a water bottle recycling site), 3402 Western Rd.
Fire Station #6, 716 West Pierson Rd.
Fire Station #8 (also a water bottle recycling site), 202 East Atherton Rd.
All water filters distributed by the State of Michigan are certified by NSF International for lead reduction. Individuals wishing to verify that a specific filter is NSF-certified can do so via the NSF website. - Download PDF resources at Boil Water Advisory and visit Boil Water FAQs.
- Walk in Blood Testing
Please contact your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to request a blood lead screen; they may be able to perform the service in their office or refer you to a laboratory. If your PCP is unable to perform the service or refer you or your child for a lead screen at a laboratory, please see below: - Children
- Walk-in blood lead screening for children is available at the GCHD Burton Health Center, located at G-3373 S. Saginaw St., Burton 48529.
- Hours are 8-11 am and 1-3 pm, Monday through Friday. Hours may vary; parents should call 810-257-3833 for information.
- A parent or legal guardian must be present at the time of service.
- Bring a copy of the child’s insurance card.
- Parents should note that due to the high number of children being seen for this service, there will be a wait.
- Children will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a possibility that families may need to return on another day if there are several children registered and waiting for the blood-lead screen.
- Parents should call 810-257-3833 for more information.
- Adults
- Adults requesting a blood lead screen may make an appointment or walk-in at the GCHD Primary Care Clinic, located at 630. S. Saginaw St, Suite 4, Flint 48502.
- Hours are 8-11am and 1-4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; Tuesday hours are 1-4pm.
- Please bring a copy of your insurance card.
- Due to the high number of people requesting this service, there will be a wait.
- Adults presenting to the clinic for walk-in service will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a possibility that adults may need to return on another day if there are several people registered and waiting for the blood lead screen.
- Please call 810-257-3445 for more information.
- Clean Water Locations
- Water Resource Sites
Hours of Operation 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Free bottles of water, water filters, replacement cartridges, and home water testing kits are available at these locations. - Fire Station #1, 310 East 5th St., Flint, MI 48502
- Fire Station #3, 1525 Martin Luther King Ave., Flint, MI 48503
- Fire Station #5, 3402 Western Rd., Flint, MI 48506
- Fire Station #6, 716 West Pierson Rd., Flint, MI 48505
- Fire Station #8, 202 East Atherton Rd., Flint, MI 48507
- Water Filter Pickup Locations
Hours of Operation 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Flint City Hall, 101 Saginaw St #310, Flint, MI 48502 See Map- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 125 E. Union St., Flint, MI 48502
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 4809 Clio Road, Flint, MI 48504
- Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, 2727 Lippincott, Flint, MI 48507
- Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, 601 N. Saginaw, Flint, MI 48502
- Mental Health and Stress Counseling
- To talk to a Mental Health Professional (at no charge) at Community Action Neighborhood Safe House. Call at 810-257-3705 Monday—Friday 8-5.
- Christ Enrichment Center at 643 W. Austin Blvd. Flint, 48505 on Tuesdays 9-12 & 1-3.
- Assistance Programs
If you need assistance paying your utility bills, dealing with a financial hardship or obtaining meals, clothing or shelter, please visit the resources below. Utility Bill Assistance and Shut-Offs, Eviction or foreclosure, emergency financial, food assistance:- Salvation Army | 810-232-2199
- Outreach of Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church | (810) 743-3050
- Catholic Outreach | (810) 234-4693
- St. John Outreach of Fenton | (810) 629-1817
- Genesee County Michigan Department of Human Services
- Genesee County Community Action Resource Department | (810) 232-2185
- Marshall Area Community Services | (269) 781-2954
- Home Heating, Utility Bill Assistance and Shut-Offs
- THAW | (800) 866 –THAW (8429)
- Consumers Energy Shut-off & Winter Protection Plan | (800) 477- 5050
- Home Heating Credit
- Michigan LIHEAP
- State Emergency Relief (SER) fund
- Housing Assistance
- Helping Neighbors Program: Energy Efficient Assistance | (877) 477-9433
- State Emergency Relief (SER) fund
- Genesee County Short Term Housing
- Flint Housing Commission | (810) 736-3050
- How to determine if you have lead service lines leading in your house
