It's not just Flint: 3 other U.S. cities may face lead crises, too
The residents of Flint, Michigan, aren't the only ones facing a lead crisis.
In recent weeks, there have been reports about elevated lead levels in three other U.S. cities: New York; Newark, N.J., and Jackson, Mississippi.
You May Also Like
The health hazards of lead poisoning are well-documented: Studies have linked lead exposure to chronic and permanent medical and cognitive problems, especially for children, including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, stunted growth, seizures and even death.
Newark, N.J.
Recently-released data from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection found that students in Newark's public schools may have been exposed to water with elevated levels of lead.
State tests recently found elevated lead levels in 30 schools. Twenty-two of those had such levels for two years, prompting officials to shut off water fountains earlier this month.
New York City
In New York City, federal prosecutors are investigating cases of elevated blood lead levels in the city's public housing facilities and homeless shelters. Court documents filed this week show the case targets the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and its Housing Authority, which federal investigators suspect filed false claims with federal regulators.
The lead exposure there may stem from lead paint, which is likely still present at many of the city's public housing facilities built in the early 1900s.
Jackson, Miss.
And in Jackson, Mississippi, The Guardian reported yesterday, residents in the state capital are facing a familiar, Flint-like, situation.
Last June, state health regulators found that 22% of the city's homes had water with lead levels that exceeded the federal "action" threshold of 15 parts per billion. That's even worse than Flint, where researchers from Virginia Tech found that almost 17% of homes had such lead levels.
Like Flint, where the lead contamination crisis was sparked by a switch in the city's water supply, Jackson changed its water source two years ago.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics New York City
