A simple administrative decision of a mayor has now become a serious health emergency for a town. Such is the case of Flint (Michigan, USA), now known as the people poisoned with lead. It all began in April last year, when then-Mayor Dayne Walling , decided not to continue using the water supply coming from Detroit (state capital) and instead began using the waters of the Flint River to supply the people of the vital liquid. It seemed reasonable and beneficial to the community decision, but apparently rigorous studies are not conducted to determine the health of the waters flowing by said tributary.
Flint river water turned out to be much more corrosive than normal and therefore began to dissolve lead from pipes. Harmful metal began to concentrate on their drinking water thousands of people and there began the drama for this location. At first, its only inhabitants were told that it was not advisable to consume the water without boiling (totally useless when the water contains metals) and then, just this year, the truth was known about the toxicity of the water, which not only lead pulls but also copper.
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| In Flint, the people poisoned by lead, the authorities try to reduce the impact of water toxicity handing out special filters. However, the locals are engaged in their small town to reconnect the aqueduct of Detroit, the only guarantee that there will continue drinking contaminated water. There is an ongoing petition, with 26,000 signatures of support, so that the change is carried out immediately. |
The current mayor of Flint, Karen Weaver, said the emergence of their city and to request the intervention of the state and federal government. Not for less. Water contaminated with lead and other heavy metals is causing health problems, according to the World Health Organization, are irreversible, especially in children. Lead contamination in the body is producing diseases such as hypertension and renal failure, but more worrisome are neurological injuries: loss of vision, memory loss, learning problems and many more.
In Flint, the people poisoned by lead, the authorities try to reduce the impact of water toxicity handing out special filters. However, the locals are engaged in their small town to reconnect the aqueduct of Detroit, the only guarantee that there will continue drinking contaminated water. There is an ongoing petition, with 26,000 signatures of support, so that the change is carried out immediately.
It is estimated that more than 30,000 people were being poisoned by more than a year, amid the slow action of the government in power. The former mayor and other institutions Flint control and feel the weight of the demands, aimed at making accountable for acts and omissions in this unfortunate case. Although plaintiffs surely get a court victory, they lament the fact that the health lost can not be compensated by any amount of money.
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