Flint, Michigan's water could cause brain damage in the city's children, according to a Fox News report.
The polluted water contains dangerous lead levels, which can cause brain damage in children. This is a huge issue from a population health perspective. Here are five things to know:
1. Last year, Flint switched from a water system in Detroit to the Flint River in a cost-cutting measure. At the time, the state was under "emergency financial management" and the switch was supposed to be temporary until the city could obtain water from Lake Huron.
2. Flint residents complained about the water's taste, smell and appearance but city officials maintained the water met safety standards. However, dangerous levels of lead were found in the water.
3. A local pediatrician, Monda Hanna-Attish, MD, tested the water and presented her findings earlier this year. Initially the city officials didn't believe her, but her numbers were verified.
4. Around 8,000 to 9,000 children in the city under the age of six were exposed to the contaminated water and around 15 percent of the children have dangerous lead levels in their blood, according to the report. The damage is irreversible and will require the city to provide special education and mental health services.
5. Even cooking with the water was hazardous, as the cooking can concentrate lead levels.
