Michigan Attorney General begins probe of Flint water

The state admitted it made a mistake, and contributed to a public health emergency, when a local pediatrician reported unusually high lead levels in Flint children’s blood.

In a cost-cutting move, Flint, a financially troubled, low-income city, switched in early 2014 from taking Lake Huron water from Detroit’s system, to drawing water from the Flint River. “Now we’re to the point now where hopefully we’re fully engaged and have everyone working hard to make sure everyone in Flint has access to a water filter”.

Earnest also noted that the Justice Department has already started an investigation into the crisis and that precluded him from answering some questions about the circumstances in Flint, including whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – or any other state or local agency – bore any specific responsibility.

A project like this is great news for towns like Flint, which could reduce their public water costs by procuring it locally while also creating jobs to construct and maintain the new system. The most common cause of lead poisoning and exposure are from lead-based paints in older homes, household dust, lead crystal, contaminated soil and drinking water. Jim Ananich and state Representatives Sheldon Neeley and Phil Phelps over what can be done to remedy the lead discovered in the city’s drinking water. The state returned some financial control to the city previous year, and Snyder said Friday that he wanted to give it still more autonomy. 87 people have been diagnosed since the water source was switched.

Since 2014, 10 people have reportedly died in Flint from legionnaires’ disease, a form of atypical pneumonia, caused by water contamination.

January 14: Snyder asks the Obama administration for major disaster declaration and more federal aid.

While the Michigan National Guard, the United Auto Workers Union and others have been distributing much-needed bottled water, many says it won’t be enough.

“As attorney general, I will investigate this situation to determine if any MI state laws have been broken”, Schuette said in a press release.

The Daily Caller News Foundation has confirmed that Flint is still billing people for tap water, but its unclear if they’re sending past due notices.

Calling the situation a “human tragedy”, Schuette said in a statement that his investigation would begin immediately.

Plaintiffs Doris Collins, Robin Pleasant and Jason Phinisee claim to have suffered injury from drinking the contaminated water said Click on Detroit.

“With more teams going door to door, we are confident we will double our efforts to ensure residents receive these much needed resources as soon as possible”, said Capt. Chris Kelenske, Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, in the statement. Those kids who were exposed to increased lead levels are at an elevated risk for cognitive and behavioral problems during development.