Good Lord, Lead Poisoning in Other Parts of Michigan Too

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the issue of lead poisoning in Michigan, particularly in the context of the Flint water crisis and its implications for other cities in the state. Participants explore the prevalence of lead in drinking water, its health effects, and potential sources of contamination, while also raising questions about the broader implications for public health and infrastructure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that elevated levels of lead have been detected in children across various cities in Michigan, sometimes at rates significantly higher than those in Flint.
  • One participant expresses personal concern about potential lead exposure based on their past residency in Michigan.
  • A question is raised regarding whether lead poisoning affects only children or if it also impacts teenagers and adults, with a response indicating that heavy metals can affect individuals of all ages.
  • Another participant mentions the slow replacement of lead pipes in their city and their use of water filters as a precautionary measure.
  • Historical context is provided, with a reference to research suggesting that lead in aqueducts was not the primary cause of the fall of the Roman Empire, while acknowledging the extensive use of lead in Roman society.
  • Concerns are raised about the quality of drinking water in other regions, such as parts of California, where lead and arsenic are reported to be present at low levels.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying concerns about lead poisoning and its effects, with no consensus on the primary causes or solutions to the issue. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the broader implications of lead exposure and the effectiveness of current measures being taken.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of lead contamination issues, including the historical use of lead in infrastructure and the ongoing challenges of replacing aging water systems. There are also references to differing regional experiences with lead in drinking water.

kyphysics
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https://www.yahoo.com/health/lead-poisoning-other-parts-michigan-222900551.html

January 28, 2016

The water crisis in Flint has whipped America into a state of righteous outrage, but just look at the rest of Michigan: In at least 30 zip codes in more than 13 cities across the state, elevated levels of lead have been detected in a shocking percentage of local children — sometimes at almost five times the rate of kids in Flint, according to the The Detroit News.

The numbers add a grim layer to an already-devastating story. While Flint struggles to recover, as many as 20% of kids under 6 years old tested in parts of Detroit — and between 7% and 12% in parts of Saginaw, Ludington, Lansing, Highland Park, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck and a handful of other cities in the state — had elevated levels of lead in their blood as recently as 2013, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The percentage of children in Flint who had comparable levels peaked at 6.4% at the end of 2015, Mother Jones reports.

First, I actually lived in Michigan for 3.5 years (in Ann Arbor, Jackson and Ypsilanti), so I wonder if I could have been affected!

Secondly, does lead poisoning only affect children? No teens/YA to full adults?

Third, what on Earth is wrong with Michigan?! Geez! I've seen some talk about political corruption possibly being the source. What can be done?

***Should I even get lead tested?
 
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I live in an older part of my city and most of the water pipes have lead. The city is slowly changing out the pipes, but it takes time. I use water filters.
 
kyphysics said:
Secondly, does lead poisoning only affect children? No teens/YA to full adults?
Lead (and other heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, etc) affect everyone. Heavy metal poisoning causes nerve damage, but can damage other organs, e.g., kidneys, as well.
 
Recent research has mostly exonerated lead used in the aquaducts as the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire. The Romans however used lead extensively in their society as the US was doing and by 1980 it was consuming 40% of the world supply.
Read about this in http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/lead-poisoning-historical-perspective

A lot of information regarding lead and its toxicity can be found in CDC's online course, Its organized in outline form and is easy to get the information your might be interested in.
 
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Bad areas of california like riverside were named worst drinking water. normal to have lead/arsenic at low levels. Each area has their own problems.
 

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