Short Wave 10 Years After Flint, The Fight To Replace Lead Pipes Continues
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Apr 26, 2024 
Ping Huang, a dedicated science reporter focused on environmental health, dives into the ongoing lead contamination crisis that began in Flint, Michigan. She discusses how pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha's data-driven advocacy sparked a nationwide conversation. The conversation shifts to Chicago, highlighting dangerous lead levels affecting children, and the critical need for updated EPA regulations. With personal stories of community struggles, they emphasize the urgency for policy change and public awareness to ensure access to safe drinking water.
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Flint Water Crisis
- In Flint, Michigan, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha uncovered a public health crisis caused by lead-contaminated water.
- Her advocacy, sparked by concerned families and a friend's warning, exposed the lack of corrosion control in the city's pipes.
Lead's Impact on Children
- Lead poisoning is especially dangerous for children due to their higher water intake relative to body size.
- It can cause irreversible brain damage and other severe developmental issues, making early prevention critical.
Chicago's Lead Legacy
- Chicago has a significant lead pipe problem due to historical mandates requiring lead in plumbing.
- Dr. Hanna-Attisha stresses the urgency of addressing this, given lead's proven dangers.