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Let’s Not Overlook the Ongoing Struggles of Flint’s Children
Since General Motors began its downsizing in Flint, Michigan, back in the 1980s, the city has been grappling with poverty. A staggering 41.2% of Flint’s residents now live below the poverty line, which currently sits at $24,250 for a family of four—if you’re paying attention, which many aren’t. With 56.6% of its population identifying as Black, Flint’s challenges often go unnoticed. The median income here is a meager $24,862, a far cry from Michigan’s average of $49,576. Renting isn’t a walk in the park either; Flint’s median rent is $721, translating to an annual rental cost of $8,652, which takes up over one-third of the average income. A full 25% of housing units are vacant, and more than half of the residents have moved since 2010, suggesting a troubling rate of mobility—possibly due to evictions. Back in 2010, before the introduction of free meals for children, a whopping 81% of Flint’s kids qualified for assistance.
But the real victims here are the children. In 2014, Flint made the fateful decision to change its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River, which had long been known for its poor quality. The State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources noted severe contamination in the river dating back to the 1970s. But the Department of Environmental Quality didn’t treat the water with the federally mandated anti-corrosive agent. As a result, lead began leeching from the pipes into Flint’s water supply.
The EPA has confirmed that even low levels of lead can lead to serious health issues in children, including damage to the nervous system, learning disabilities, and various behavioral problems. The March of Dimes warns that lead exposure can cause miscarriages and premature births, along with a host of risks for the child. While there are treatments for lead poisoning, such as chelation therapy, none can reverse the damage already inflicted.
According to NBC News, after the switch to Flint River water, lead levels in children surged, increasing their risk of dangerous blood lead levels by 50%. The city made this hazardous switch in 2014 but, after much delay and denial, reverted back to the Lake Huron water source in October 2015. Even so, it takes time to flush out the pipes, and the extent of the damage remains uncertain. The CDC estimates that about 99,000 people were affected by this water crisis.
Now that Flint has returned to using Lake Huron water, it’s tempting to assume everything is back to normal. However, many children are still grappling with the long-term effects of lead exposure. Remember, any exposure to lead is considered lead poisoning; there’s no safe level for kids. While Medicaid has expanded, and regular health check-ups are advised for affected children, the reality is that there’s no cure—only ongoing support services.
With all the political turmoil in our country, let’s not forget about Flint’s children, who are not only dealing with lead exposure but also living in poverty—90% of public school kids in Flint fall into this category, according to the Kids in Need Foundation. They emphasize that the water crisis continues to impact local families. Though the state has distributed filters, studies reveal that up to 52% of these filters were ineffective, meaning Flint’s children might still be exposed to lead from the old, contaminated pipes, which will cost a whopping $55 million to replace.
If you want to make a difference for Flint’s kids, consider donating to organizations like the Kids in Need Foundation or the Flint Child and Development Fund, which focuses on the long-term health of children exposed to lead. They offer vital services such as access to behavioral health resources and early childhood education. The Mott Foundation is also dedicated to helping Flint tackle its ongoing challenges. For those interested in advocacy, the ACLU has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Flint’s citizens.
In summary, the crisis in Flint is far from over. The water switch didn’t magically restore health, and Flint’s children, along with the community, still need our help and support. It’s up to us, along with the federal and state governments, to ensure they get what they need.