The Flint Michigan Water Crisis: Causes & Effects

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FLINT,
MICHIGAN
WATER CRISIS
THE
CAUSES & EFFECTS

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THE FLINT, MICHIGAN WATER CRISIS
CONTENT
A Chronology of Events
Lead poisoning Facts and ﬁgures:
Children With Lead Levels
The key problem
The pipes
Relation between lead levels & old pipes
Proposed supply pipeline
Lead exposure effects:
In newborns and babies
In children
In adults
In pets
These foods may help protect you and your family
Legionnaires' Disease outbreak:
Signs and symptoms
Legionnaires’ Disease cases in Michigan
Legionnaires’ Disease cases in Genesee County
Tips
In the Kitchen
Cleaning
In the Bathroom
Caring for Pets
Sources
3
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
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24
25
26
27
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28
29

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FLINT,
MICHIGAN
WATER CRISISA Chronology of Events
THE
Switching water sources in
Flint resulted in toxic levels of
lead and other contaminants,
causing a public health crisis.

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THE FLINT, MICHIGAN WATER CRISIS - A CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
2013
Flint
DETROIT
Flint
DETROIT
WATER
FLINT
WATER
APRIL 16
Flint joins a new water authority to save money that will
get water from Lake Huron rather from its existing water
source in Detroit. The project will take 3 years.
Lake
Huron

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2014
BOIL WATER
APRIL 25
MAY
AUG. 15
OCT. 13
City begins using water from the Flint River until
the pipeline from Lake Huron can be completed.
Flint residents complain
about the new water.
A boil advisory is issued in parts of the city
after water tests positive for E. coli bacteria.
The Flint General Motors plant refuses to use the river water
because it is rusting car parts. The city arranges for automaker
to tap into a different water line, but not for residents.
FlintRiver
Kearsley
Reservoir
69
475
CITY OF FLINT
WATER PLANT

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2015
JAN. 4
The city announces that its water contains a high level of
trihalomethanes, a disinfectant byproduct in violation of
the Safe Drinking Water Act. Residents told not to worry.FEB. 18
A consultant hired by the City of Flint tells the
public that the water is safe to drink despite the
presence of sediment and discoloration. FEB. 26
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency manager informs
Michigan ofﬁcials that contaminants from pipes,
including lead, are leaching into the water system.APRIL 2
Flint tells residents that it may
have violated the Safe Water
Drinking Act because it added
too many disinfectants.

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OCT. 1
State officials announce that data shows more children
have lead in their blood since the water switch.
OCT. 2
Gov. Snyder announces the state will buy
water filters and test lead in schools. He
recommends that Flint go back to using
water from Detroit.
OCT. 16
Flint switches back to Detroit water.
NOV 16
LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN CAUSES
IRREVERSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS
CLASS ACTION
LAWSUIT
Class action lawsuit filed
against City of Flint and
State of Michigan.

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2016
JAN. 5
Gov. Snyder declares a state of emergency in Flint.
The Department of Justice opens an investigation.
JAN 7
Michigan’s chief medical executive advises Flint
residents to use only bottled or ﬁltered water.
JAN. 12
Gov. Snyder calls out to the
National Guard to distribute
bottled water and ﬁlters in Flint.JAN. 13
The water crisis expands to include
Legionnaires’ disease based upon a
spike in number of reported cases. JAN. 16
President Obama signs an
emergency declaration and
orders federal aid for Flint.

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JAN 25
EPA announces an investigation into the
handling of the crisis.
JAN. 25
State announces that National Guard and
Red Cross teams have delivered bottled
water twice to every house in Flint.
MAR. 6
Democratic presidential debate in Flint.
Candidates discuss water crisis.
JAN. 27
A federal court lawsuit is ﬁled by
organizations and citizens, including
the ACLU, demanding that Flint be
provided with clean drinking water.
MAR. 15
The U.S. House Oversight
and Government Reform
Committee holds a hearing
regarding the crisis.
MAR. 17
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder testiﬁes before a congressional
committee investigating the Flint water crisis.

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LEAD
POISONING
FACTS AND FIGURES
On March 4, 2016, workers began digging up and replacing lead services lines at homes in
Flint neighborhoods with the highest number of children under 6 years old, senior citizens,
pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and homes that tested with
high levels of lead in tap water.

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THE FLINT, MICHIGAN WATER CRISIS - LEAD POISONING FACTS AND FIGURES
CHILDREN WITH LEAD LEVELS
0% 2% 4% 6%1% 3% 5% 7%
Share of children under age 5 with elevated levels of lead in their blood.
Before the Flint water switch from Detroit Water
to Flint River Water on April 25, 2016
After the Flint water switch from Detroit Water
to Flint River Water on April 25, 2016
Children from Flint
Flint children in areas with
high water lead levels
Flint children in
other areas
Children from Genesee
Country (excluding Flint)

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THE KEY PROBLEM
Water from the Flint River is highly corrosive (its water has about 8 times more chloride (Cl–) in it than
Detroit water) to iron and lead. Unfortunately, these pipe materials are widely used throughout Flint.
And, if these pipes are exposed to corrosive water, or if water sits too long inside them, the lead could be released and may
end up coming out of the tap.
Detroit water Cause for concern Flint water Highest level found in
Virginia Tech’s Flint sample
Highest level
found in Flint
2.3parts per billion
5parts per billion
27parts per billion
158parts per billion
13,000parts per billion

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THE PIPES
Galvanized pipes accumulate lead
particles in corroded interior walls
Brass faucets and
valves can have
traces of lead.
Lead can be
found in solder
used before 1987.
Many lead service lines
are connecting older
homes to water mains.
Public water main
Communication pipe
Public service line Customer service line
Houses built
before 1930
usually contain
lead piping.
Lead contaminates tap water differently
than most pollutants, because lead
comes from plumbing.
External supply pipe
Internal
supply pipe
Summing up: water from Flint River moved through lead pipes,
picking up the toxin as it went, and spread it throughout the population.

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RELATION BETWEEN LEAD LEVELS & OLD PIPES
FlintRiver
Kearsley
Reservoir
475
69
This map shows properties that registered lead
levels above the federal threshold for drinking
water (15 parts per billion). Some of the highest
levels of lead were found in older neighborhoods.
There are 15,000 to 25,000 lead service lines in Flint.
Replacing the city’s lead service lines will take years.
Properties which registered high levels
of lead in tests of their drinking water..
Buildings built in 1940 or earlier.

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PROPOSED SUPPLY PIPELINE
City of Flint
Water Plant
Reservoir Pump Station
GCDC Water Plant
Intermeditate Pump Station
& Stabilization Reservoir
INTAKE
Lake
Station
Lake
Huron
Henderson Rd Storage
Schematic proposed Lake Huron Water Supply Pipeline.

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LEAD
EXPOSURE
EFFECTS
Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body, often over a period of months or years.
Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause damage over time. Children under the age of 6
are especially vulnerable to lead poisoning, which can severely affect mental and physical
development. Higher levels can damage the kidneys and nervous system in both children
and adults. Very high lead levels can be fatal.

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THE FLINT, MICHIGAN WATER CRISIS - LEAD EXPOSURE EFFECTS
IN NEWBORNS AND BABIES
Problems with brain development,
resulting in reduced IQ and
behavioral changes; headaches;
nervous system damage; seizures.
Hearing problems
Anemia and hypertention
Muscle weakness
Kidney problems
Abdominal pain and
cramping; constipation
When a child drinks water
containing lead particles,
it can lead to serious
health consequences.
Babies who are exposed to lead before birth may experience:

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IN CHILDREN
Developmental delay
Learning difﬁculties
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Sluggishness and fatigue Abdominal pain
Vomiting
Constipation
Hearing loss
Children with low lead poisoning usually do not look or act sick. The only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is by
getting a blood test. Ask your doctor or health care provider to test your child under six years of age at least once a year.
Muscle weakness

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IN ADULTS
Declines in mental functioning
Depressed
Mood disorders, Irritable
Tired, Weak
Memory loss, Distracted
Risk of miscarriage
Risk of premature birth
Cause your baby to be born too small.
Hurt your baby’s brain,
kidneys, and nervous system
Cause your child to have
learning or behavior problems
Headache
Nauseous/Sick
Loss of appetite
Muscle pain
Joint pains
High blood pressure
Constipation
Abdominal pain
Reduced sperm count
Abnormal sperm
Numbness, tingling or
pain of the extremities
Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Signs and symptoms in adults may include:
IN PREGNANT WOMEN:

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IN PETS
Weakness
Poor appetite
Vomiting
If animals display any of these signs, please seek veterinary care.
These changes may develop over time.
Sleepiness/fatigue
Behavioral changes
Seizures
Extreme anxiety
Belly/stomach ache
Diarrhea
Blindness
Crying

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These foods may help protect you and your family
It is important for everybody, but especially children with elevated blood lead levels, to eat a well-balanced
and age-appropriate diet. There are a few really important nutrients that help protect kids from lead
poisoning, especially foods high in iron, calcium, zinc and vitamin C.
Milk, yogurt, cheese, and
green leafy vegetables
like spinach
Red meat, beans,
cereals, and spinach.
Oysters, seafood, meat,
seeds, and cooked dried
beans, peas and lentils
Oranges, green and
red peppers, broccoli,
tomatoes, and juices.
CALCIUM IRON ZINC VITAMIN C
Eat healthy snacks: a person with an empty stomach will absorb more lead.

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LEGIONNAIRES'
DISEASE
OUTBREAK
Legionnaires’ Disease is caused by bacteria. The number of reported Legionnaires’ Disease
cases has increased in the Flint Area since the water source was changed to the Flint River.

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THE FLINT, MICHIGAN WATER CRISIS - LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE OUTBREAK
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
It occasionally can cause infections in
wounds and in other parts of the
body, including the heart.
It usually develops 2 to 10 days after exposure to legionella bacteria.
1st day signs and symptoms:
Headache
Chills
Muscle pain
Fever: may be 104 F
(40 C) or higher
2nd. or 3rd. day: other signs
and symptoms that may include:
Confusion or other mental changes
Cough (may bring up mucus
and sometimes blood)
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Gastrointestinal symptoms

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LEGIONNAIRES’ CASES IN MICHIGAN
Flint
DETROIT
Genesee
Country
Legionnaires’ cases in Michigan,
per 100,000 residents,
2014 and 2015
20.8
16.6
12.4
8.3
4.1
0

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LEGIONNAIRES’ CASES IN GENESEE COUNTY
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
J F MAM J J A S O N D J F MAM J J A S O N D J F MAM J J A S O N D J F MAM J J A S O N D J F MAM J J A S O N DM J J A S O N D
Note: Monthly case values are approximated for May/June 2015 and August/September 2015.
Flint switched its
water supply to
the Flint River in
April 2014.
City’s water supply
was switched back
to Lake Huron.
1 case
Legionnaires’ cases
in Genesee County
reported by month,
2010 - 2015
The relationship between the increase in Legionnaires’ Disease cases
to the new water source has not yet been conﬁrmed

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TIPS
Although your water may be a different color sometimes, it is not caused by lead.
It’s important to remember:
• You can’t see, smell, or taste lead in water.
• Lead won’t change the color of your water.
• The only way to know what your home’s lead levels are is by having your water tested in a lab.
LEAD IN WATER

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IN THE KITCHEN
CLEANING
Use filtered tap water for:
• Drinking (including making coffee, drink mixes, juice, baby formula)
• Cooking (even if you boil the water, the lead will stay in the water and food)
• Washing fruits and vegetables
You can use unfiltered tap water for:
• Washing your hands
• Washing dishes
• Wiping down countertops
• Mopping floors
• Washing clothes
Your washing machine and dryer won’t put lead from the water into the air your home.

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IN THE BATHROOM
CARING FOR PETS
• Brushing kids’ teeth
• Showers
• Baths (don’t let kids drink the water as they play in the tub)
• Brushing your teeth (if you are an adult)
Lead will not cause rashes or other skin problems. However, if chlorine levels or other cleaners are
high in the water, it may cause itchy or dry skin (similar to what can happen when you swim in a pool).
• Pets’ water bowls
• Baths

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SOURCES
A Chronology of Events:
www.michigan.gov/flintwater
www.epa.gov/flint
www.aclumich.org/flint-water-crisis
Original URL: www.buckfirelaw.com/library/flint-water-crisis-timeline.cfm
Lead poisoning Facts and figures:
www.wsj.com/articles/flint-set-to-begin-replacing-lead-pipes-1457121838
www.vox.com/2016/2/19/10972256/the-visual-guide-to-lead-poisoning
www.public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/HealthyNeighborhoods/LeadPoisoning/ParentsFamilies/Pages/signs.aspx
www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/02/04/us/flint-water-lead-maps.html
www.mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/michigan/files/201512/water_report.pdf - Page 6
Original URL: http://www.buckfirelaw.com/library/flint-lead-poisoning-facts-infographic.cfm
Lead exposure effects:
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lead-poisoning/basics/definition/con-20035487
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/lead/health.html
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/pregnant.htm
Original URL: http://www.buckfirelaw.com/library/ lead-poisoning-effects-infographic.cfm
Legionnaires' disease outbreak:
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/legionnaires-disease/basics/symptoms/con-20028867
www.vox.com/2016/2/15/10991626/flint-water-crisis
www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/flint-water-legionnaires-lead-crisis_us_569d09d6e4b0ce4964252c33
www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/us/michigan-officials-defend-handling-of-legionnaires-disease-outbreak-in-flint.html?_r=0
Original URL: buckfirelaw.com/library/flint-legionnaires-disease-infographic.cfm
Tips:
www.michigan.gov/documents/lead/2015-10-21_-_Lead_-_Flint_Water_FINAL_1_504859_7.pdf

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