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The mayor of Flint, Michigan says her city is experiencing a "man-made disaster" after a 2014 switch to a new water source.

She says the city's usage of water from the Flint River elevated blood lead levels in children, leading to irreversible health effects.

 on The Rachel Maddow Show on Tuesday, Mayor Karen Weaver called her choice to declare a state of emergency "the only step we could take at this point," adding that the city is seeking state and federal funds in light of health problems of the city's children.



But it's not clear that Genesee County will support Mayor Weaver's request for federal disaster aid, which is a crucial step in elevating the issue to the federal level, 

The Flint Journal-MLive reported Tuesday.

 County board Chairman had initially said "that there's no need for the state of emergency" because "nothing more can be done." He later told the same publication that the issue will receive a "full hearing" in front of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners on January 4.


 the problem began when Flint switched to a new water source:



High levels of lead are especially harmful to children and pregnant women, and can cause "learning disabilities, behavioral problems and mental retardation," the 

A study conducted by a local medical center

 released in September showed that 2.1% of children 5 and under had elevated blood lead levels before the switch to Flint River water, compared to 4.0% after the switch.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a doctor in Flint who discovered the elevated lead levels, 

 that the health impact on these children will be permanent:



Michigan Radio gives us a sense of just how destructive this water is. "Flint's water was so caustic; it was damaging car parts at one of General Motors' engine plants," 

 that four families have filed a class action lawsuit against the city and state. Attorneys are "hoping to sign up tens of thousands" more to seek damages for their health problems.


And the situation is still dangerous for Flint residents, the city's mayor says. The problem with the new water source was that it was damaging and corroding the water pipes, releasing lead into the water. Mayor Weaver told Rachel Maddow that even though the city has switched back to their original water supply, "when the water comes through, the lead leaches out—and that's why there's still a problem with lead."  Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Environmental News

Water

Merrit Kennedy

Author

Mayor Karen Weaver, of Flint, Michigan is calling the results of a 2014 water source switch a 'man-made disaster' and is seeking federal disaster aid.

Michigan Mayor declares state of emergency over lead levels

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