## A Crisis That Could Have Been Avoided

How The Avoidable Flint Water Crisis Hugely Impacted Kids’ Educational Achievement

In 2014, the local and state administration of Flint, Michigan, made a decision that would have dire consequences for its residents.

In an attempt to save between $5-7 million, they switched the town's water supply from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River.

 This decision ultimately exposed around 100,000 residents, including up to 12,000 children, to lead-contaminated water. A recent study has shed light on the long-term educational impacts of this avoidable crisis on Flint's school-aged children.

The Dangers of Lead Exposure

Lead poisoning poses significant health risks, especially for children. Exposure to this heavy metal can lead to fatal health complications, brain damage, intellectual disabilities, memory and behavioral issues, and decreased cognitive functioning in adulthood.

The Flint Water Crisis and Education

A study focused on Flint's children in grades 3 to 8 has revealed significant impacts on their educational performance following the water crisis.

 The research found a considerable decline in math achievement and an increased rate of special needs classification, particularly among boys. The most affected were younger students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds - in Flint, this represents 9 out of 10 students.

Corrosion of Lead Piping and Its Effects

When the administration switched Flint's water supply to the Flint River, they overlooked the potential for this move to affect the lead piping in the water system. 

They failed to use corrosion inhibitors for the more acidic river water, leading to the leaching of lead from the pipes into the water supply.

The Response to the Crisis

As the water crisis unfolded, residents noticed changes in the color, taste, and smell of their water. Despite issuing some warnings, officials largely ignored the crisis. 

In a bid to assure the public, they even broadcast Flint Mayor Dayne Walling drinking the tap water on local television.

The Devastating Results of the Crisis

Two months later, a research team led by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha demonstrated that the number of children with elevated lead levels had doubled since the city switched its water source. A few weeks after that, three schools tested positive for dangerous levels of lead in their water.

The True Costs of the Flint Water Crisis

In November 2021, a $626 million settlement was announced for the victims of the crisis, though delayed payments meant that residents were still awaiting compensation in 2024. 

The state and federal government also spent $400 million to ensure Flint had access to clean water and copper pipes. However, these figures do not account for the health and social costs of the crisis on Flint's younger population and their families.

The Lesson to Learn

This crisis highlights the significant potential costs of water crises and the importance of preventive measures. As the authors of the study note, compared to the aftermath of such a crisis, preventive measures are relatively cheap.

The Study's Findings

The study used the type of pipes in children's homes as a proxy for potential lead exposure. It found that children from homes with both safer copper pipes and more dangerous lead ones experienced educational setbacks. 

While the crisis undoubtedly impacted the children, this finding does not allow a direct connection to be made to lead exposure.

The Broader Impacts of the Crisis

The Flint Water Crisis has had impacts beyond just lead exposure. Children also consume water outside the home, which could lead to exposure. Even when copper pipes are in place, other lead fixtures in the system can still leach lead into the water. Moreover, the psychosocial effects of the crisis could have affected the children in ways beyond exposure to lead alone.

Looking to the Future

The Flint Water Crisis serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preventive measures in public health. It highlights the devastating long-term consequences that can result from cost-cutting decisions without proper consideration of potential health risks.

 As this study shows, the costs of such a crisis extend far beyond the immediate health impacts and can reverberate through the community for years to come, affecting even the youngest and most vulnerable residents.

References

The information in this article has been drawn from a recent study published in the journal Science Advances, which investigates the long-term educational impacts of the Flint Water Crisis on school children.

Sources:

Science Advances

Flint Water Crisis

Lead Poisoning