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Flint Water Crisis Analysis

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Unfortunately throughout history government corruption has been present in numerous countries over the world. Before April 25, 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan acquired their main source of water from Detroit’s water system. However, on the 25th, the city started importing water from the Flint River nearby. This would result in one of the most devastating water crises that the United States has ever seen, filled with scandal, protests, devastating health effects and even federal involvement. The government officials involved in the Flint Water Crisis need to be held more accountable as the catastrophe was a result of their disregard for standard protocol. In order to help the people affected, the local along with the federal government should …show more content…
Flint is an exceptionally impoverished town in western Michigan with the median income being just under $25,000 dollars a year (United States Census Bureau 1). Many residents either don’t use the water from their homes because of fear of lead exposure or because there is still traces of lead in water from their homes. According to a Virginia Tech professor, 43% of Flint homes still have lead in their water as of December 2016 (Thompson 1).Subsequently, a majority of residents rely on bottled or filtered water to drink, bathe, and cook with. Another effect of this dilemma is the effect of lead itself on the citizens who drank the water. While lead doesn’t stay in the bloodstream for long, the effects on children are long-lasting and have known to be permanent in some cases (Alvarez 3). Some effects of lead poisoning may include: premature births for pregnant women, hypertension, seizures, along with damage to one’s reproductive system, nervous system, and cardiovascular system (“Lead Exposure in Adults - A Guide for Health Care Providers” 2). Children are often most vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning and can have developmental issues such as slow growth, learning, and coordination as a result of lead caused brain and nervous system damage (Hernberg 7). According to the Center of Disease Control lead poisoning, “can cost $5,600 in medical and special education costs for each seriously lead-poisoned child” ( “Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning” 1). In a town where over 40% of its inhabitants are below the poverty line, the added cost of medical bills, the frequent buying of pre-packaged water and filters is overwhelming for many (United States Census Bureau

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