Surgeon General: Flint Families Need Help Amid Lead Crisis
FLINT (WWJ/AP) - U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says Flint's children and families need as much support as possible amid the city's crisis with lead-tainted water.
Murthy met with doctors, social workers, students and others on Monday in Flint and is scheduled meet with residents and take questions on Tuesday.
Murthy told the Detroit Free Press that most Flint children exposed to lead should be OK, but help is needed with education and nutrition. He noted, however, that "we don't know which kids are going to develop complications going forward."
"That's why what we have to do is make sure that we are providing as much support to these kids and their families as possible," he said.
If consumed, lead can cause developmental delays and learning disabilities.
For 18 months, Flint used the Flint River for drinking water. A lack of corrosion control in the water caused lead to leach from old plumbing throughout the city.
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