Title
Calling on the United States Department of Justice to conduct a complete and thorough investigation of the water supply disaster in Flint, Michigan that may have exposed 99,763 people to lead poisoning.
Body
WHEREAS, In April 2014, Flint changed its municipal water source to the Flint River in place of the Detroit water system in order to save money during a budget crisis at the approval of the Snyder administration; and
WHEREAS, Even after residents began to complain about the water seeming tainted, smelling foul, and being the likely cause of health symptoms like rash and hair loss in the summer of 2014, the city of Flint and the State of Michigan continued to allow the residents to use Flint River water; and
WHEREAS, Although confirmed traces of E. Coli and coliform bacteria were found in the water in September 2015, the state continued to allow Flint to use the Flint River as a water supply, recommending that they boil the water before use; and
WHEREAS, Even after the state issued a notice acknowledging unlawful levels of trihalomethanes in the water, a chemical linked to cancer and other diseases, the administration continued to allow Flint residents to consume the tainted water; and
WHEREAS, In a February 2015 Virginia Tech study, lead levels of 104 parts per billion (ppb) were found in one Flint resident's home. This level is well above the EPA threshold for enforcement of 15 ppb, and the Snyder administration failed to reevaluate their decision to have Flint use water from the Flint River; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 8,657 children and a total population of 99,763 people may have been exposed to lead, risking lead poisoning which can cause developmental defects, learning difficulties, weight loss, fatigue, vomiting, hearing loss in children, memory loss, mood disorders, joint pain, kidney damage and reproductive problems in adults; and
WHEREAS, Elevated lead levels in children in Flint, Michigan doubled after switching to t...
Click here for full text