flintwaterstudy-vt

1 - Lead can originate from lead service lines (pipes connecting mains to the home), lead solder used in plumbing in old homes, brass fixtures (from before 2014) and pipes like galvanized iron which have some lead in it. The city's water source for 50 years has been Detroit water which is very non-corrosive and also contains orthophosphate - a corrosion inhibitory chemical - and lead levels in Detroit (and in Flint until 2014) were way below the EPA's action level. So, since it is the water switch (and not practicing corrosion control treatment) that caused lead to start coming off, the decision by the emergency manager and all authorities is to blame. On a side note, the Lead and Copper Rule specifically calls for "shared responsibility" in that the lead pipes on the side of the homeowner's property are the homeowner's responsibility -- but homeowners across the country are not aware of this. But overall the lead is originating from both lead pipes and home plumbing. Not all lead is from home plumbing. LeeAnne Walters' home had plastic plumbing (everywhere) and she had hazardous waste levels of lead coming from her lead service line.

2 - Both lead paint/dust and lead in water are the most likely sources of lead. But we don't know what specifically could be the reason of high lead levels in the past. We have requested the state's data on children's blood lead and haven't received a response yet. Here is some background: http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/columnists/nancy-kaffer/2015/12/17/flint-water-lead/77365380/ We don't have data on what blood lead levels in other cities looks like. Here is some info on blood lead levels during the Washington DC lead crisis: http://dcwasawatch.blogspot.com/2010/03/2009-study-that-found-health-harm-from_15.html Lead exits the human body pretty rapidly without leaving any traces behind. So, it is hard to say as an adult if you were exposed to it as a kid even if you show symptoms at a later stage.

3 - Yes, we are seeing a downward trend in lead levels in the water but the water is still not safe to drink. Please continue using lead filters. The Flint river water has caused irreparable damage and accelerated the aging of an already old and crumbling water infrastructure. The best long term solution, of course, is new pipes.

4 - We sent out 300 lead sampling kits and started getting those back in less than two weeks. Our hypothesis was a significant lead in water problem based on what we knew about Flint's water treatment from EPA's memo and testing at the Walters' home (http://flintwaterstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Miguels-Memo.pdf). In the first 24 kits we received, at least 1 in 3 had significant lead. This was alarming enough! We released those results and an additional 48 kits later, we knew this was dangerous and widespread. - Sid

These are great questions! Unfortunately, these are also hard questions to answer considering we are environmental engineers and not doctors/physicians. We would not like to speculate on something we are not experts on.

However, Flint, as a city, is facing enormous challenges in terms of poverty, violence and low nutrition which all have an impact on the trajectories of the lives of their kids and lead poisoning will only make it worse.

We welcome additional testing as it is the need of the hour.

In terms of our reaction to the contract, we weren't asked to do it, so we don't have a reaction.

The main source of iron is the iron mains in the water distribution system.

Yes! Point of Use, NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified filters are the easiest way to protect oneself from lead.

We don't know and we hope that the medical centers in Flint are making a note of this, in light of conclusive evidence of high amounts of lead in drinking water.

EDIT: Dr. Edwards has repeatedly made it known that he is ready to help in whatever way possible.