Who Poisoned Flint's Water Supply? A Company's Deadly Legacy

The Flint water crisis was a public health crisis from 2014 to 2019, during which the drinking water for the city of Flint, Michigan, was contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria. In April 2014, state-appointed emergency manager Darnell Earley changed Flint's water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River, which was a cost-saving measure. This change in the water supply caused water distribution pipes to corrode and leach lead and other contaminants into municipal drinking water, exposing around 100,000 residents to elevated lead levels.

In April 2014, Flint officials switched the water supply from Detroit's system to the Flint River

The Flint water crisis was a public health crisis that took place from 2014 to 2019. In April 2014, during a financial crisis, Flint officials changed the city's water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to the Flint River. This decision was made by state-appointed emergency manager Darnell Earley as a cost-saving measure. The Flint River is naturally high in corrosive chloride, and the water treatment process lacked the necessary phosphates to control metal corrosion. This allowed lead to leach into the water supply, exposing around 100,000 residents to elevated lead levels.

The switch in water supply caused water distribution pipes to corrode, leading to further contamination of the municipal drinking water with lead and other toxins. Residents immediately raised concerns about water quality, reporting foul-smelling, discolored, and off-tasting water. These complaints were chronically ignored and dismissed by government officials, who failed to take action even as health issues arose, including skin rashes, hair loss, and itchy skin.

The inadequate treatment and testing of the water supply resulted in a series of major health and water quality issues for Flint residents. The contaminated water contributed to elevated blood lead levels, particularly in children, leading to learning and behavioral problems, slow growth and development, and an increased risk of various physical and mental health issues. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission concluded that the poor governmental response to the crisis was a result of systemic racism.

In January 2015, the city of Flint informed residents of elevated levels of carcinogenic trihalomethanes in the water but insisted it was still safe to drink. Later that month, dangerous lead levels were detected in two water fountains on the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Despite these concerns, Flint's emergency manager declined an offer from the DWSD to reconnect to their water system, prioritizing cost over public health.

In October 2015, the city of Flint finally switched back to the Detroit water system. However, the damage had already been done, and a state of emergency was declared in January 2016. The crisis led to resignations and criminal charges for several government officials, including four who were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Victims of the water crisis were awarded a $600 million settlement, with 80% going to families affected by the elevated lead levels.

The Flint River is a waste disposal site for local industries, raw sewage, and agricultural and urban runoff

The Flint River, which flows through the heart of Flint, Michigan, has historically been an unofficial waste disposal site for local industries. For over a century, the river has received treated and untreated refuse from factories and plants, including carriage and car factories, meatpacking plants, and lumber and paper mills. Additionally, the river has been contaminated by raw sewage from the city's waste treatment plant, agricultural and urban runoff, and toxic chemicals from landfills.

The river's history as a waste disposal site has had significant implications for the city of Flint. In 2014, the city made the cost-saving decision to switch its drinking water source from Lake Huron, provided by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, to the Flint River. This switch led to a public health crisis, as the water from the Flint River was contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria. Inadequate treatment and testing of the water resulted in water quality and health issues for residents, including skin rashes, hair loss, and itchy skin. The contaminated water also contributed to elevated blood lead levels in children, putting them at risk of long-term health issues such as reduced intellectual functioning, increased mental and physical health issues, and a higher chance of Alzheimer's disease.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission concluded that the government's poor response to the crisis was a result of systemic racism. Despite residents' complaints about the water's taste, smell, and appearance, officials failed to address the issue promptly. This led to a series of lawsuits and resignations, with four government officials resigning and one being fired for their mishandling of the situation. In 2021, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and eight other officials were charged with felony and misdemeanor counts for their roles in the crisis.

The Flint River's history as a waste disposal site and the subsequent water crisis highlight the need for improved environmental health infrastructure and risk communication strategies. It also underscores the importance of addressing systemic racism and ensuring that the voices of concerned residents are heard and acted upon. The crisis led to a federal emergency declaration in 2016, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention providing assistance and support for response and recovery efforts, including health messaging, lead exposure assessment, and community support services.

The water caused skin rashes, hair loss, and itchy skin

The Flint water crisis was a public health crisis that lasted from 2014 to 2019 and involved the drinking water for the city of Flint, Michigan, being contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria. The crisis was caused by the city's decision to change its water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's Lake Huron to the Flint River in April 2014 as a cost-saving measure during a financial crisis. This change in water source resulted in inadequate treatment and testing of the water, leading to a series of major water quality and health issues for Flint residents.

One of the prominent issues caused by the contaminated water was skin rashes. Many residents of Flint reported experiencing skin rashes after the switch to the Flint River water source. Christeen Lawson, a Flint resident, shared her experience of developing a red, bumpy rash on her feet and legs soon after the change in water supply. She described the rash as hot and itchy, sometimes scratching it until it bled. Sharon Robertson, another Flint resident, also reported experiencing itchy, dry skin patches along with hair loss.

Dr. Nicole Lurie, the federal department of health and human services assistant secretary for preparedness and response, expressed concern over the rashes reported by Flint residents. Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, acknowledged the increase in rashes reported to the city's Safe Drinking Water Hotline. Despite these concerns, state health officials maintained that there was no scientific link between the Flint water and skin rashes. However, residents continued to experience skin problems, and the Michigan Civil Rights Commission concluded that the poor governmental response to the crisis was a result of systemic racism.

In addition to skin rashes, the contaminated water in Flint also led to hair loss for some residents. Nina Arthur, a hair stylist in Flint, observed the impact of the water crisis on her clients' hair and took special precautions to protect them from lead exposure. Sharon Robertson shared her experience of developing bald spots and having to resort to wearing hair extensions to conceal her hair loss. While the exact cause of the hair loss was not definitively established, the combination of stress from the water crisis and changes in personal care routines, such as bathing habits, were considered contributing factors.

The water crisis in Flint highlighted the need for improved risk communication, environmental health infrastructure, enhanced surveillance, and primary prevention to address similar public health threats effectively. It also led to a federal emergency declaration in January 2016, with President Barack Obama authorizing additional support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The crisis resulted in resignations and charges against government officials, as well as a settlement of $600 million awarded to the victims, with a significant portion going to families with affected children.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission concluded that the poor response was a result of systemic racism

The Flint water crisis was a public health crisis that took place between 2014 and 2019. It involved the drinking water for the city of Flint, Michigan, being contaminated with lead and possibly Legionella bacteria. The crisis was caused by a change in the city's water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River. This change was made during a financial crisis to cut costs.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission, a state-established body, concluded that the poor governmental response to the Flint crisis was a "result of systemic racism." The Commission's report, titled "The Flint Water Crisis: Systemic Racism Through the Lens of Flint," took a year, three public hearings, and testimony from 150 residents, experts, and government officials to compile. The report concluded that policies that allowed only whites to move to the suburbs contributed to a mostly black and poor population in Flint that faced high water costs. This ultimately led to the use of the Flint River as a cheaper water source. The report also stated that the people of Flint did not have equal protection of environmental or public health laws and did not have a meaningful voice in the decisions leading up to the crisis.

The Commission's report is not the first to highlight environmental injustice in Michigan. The United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice released a study in 1987 that found race to be the most significant predictor of where hazardous waste facilities were located in the United States. More recent research has provided evidence that the effect is causal, with polluting industries following the path of least resistance. The Commission's report also concluded that racial discrimination and sociopolitical explanations best explain present-day inequities.

The Flint water crisis had a significant impact on the city's residents, particularly children. Studies revealed that the contaminated water contributed to a doubling and, in some cases, tripling of the incidence of elevated blood lead levels in children, leading to potential long-term health issues. The crisis also resulted in resignations and criminal charges for several government officials.

Four government officials resigned, and 15 criminal cases have been filed against local and state officials

The Flint water crisis, which took place between 2014 and 2019, was a public health crisis that saw tens of thousands of Flint, Michigan residents exposed to dangerous levels of lead and possibly Legionella bacteria in their drinking water. The crisis was the result of a cost-saving decision by state-appointed emergency manager Darnell Earley to change the city's water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River) to the Flint River.

The consequences of this decision were severe and far-reaching. Residents of Flint immediately registered their concerns about water quality, with reports of foul-smelling, discolored, and off-tasting water. These complaints were chronically ignored, overlooked, and discounted by government officials. Despite this, residents took action, and their determined and relentless efforts, supported by doctors, scientists, journalists, and citizen activists, eventually brought the issue to light.

The crisis led to a significant government response, with four government officials—one from the city of Flint, two from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and one from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—resigning over the mishandling of the situation. In addition, one additional MDEQ staff member was fired. The Michigan Civil Rights Commission, a state-established body, concluded that the poor governmental response to the crisis was a "result of systemic racism."

The fallout from the crisis resulted in 15 criminal cases being filed against local and state officials, with charges ranging from involuntary manslaughter to felony counts and misdemeanors. However, only one minor conviction has been obtained, and all other charges have been dismissed or dropped. In January 2021, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and eight other officials were charged with a total of 41 counts for their role in the crisis.

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