What was the effect of the water supply change in Flint, MI on pediatric blood lead levels?
A retrospective analysis analyzed blood lead levels (BLL) in Flint children aged 5 years and younger over three periods: Period 1 from 25 April 2006 to 15 October 2007 (earliest timeframe available for study), Period II from 25 April 2012 to 15 October 2013 (timeframe immediately before the water switch) and Period III, 25 April 2014 to 15 October 2015 (FRW exposure). There were 5663 BLLs available for study. The geometric mean (GM) ± SE BLLs decreased from 2.19 ± 0.03 μg/dL in Period I to 1.47 ± 0.02 μg/dL in Period II, and and decreased further to 1.32 ± 0.02 µg/dL during the FRW Period III. The conclusion of this study was that the GM and percentages BLLs ≥5.0 μg/dL decreased during the Flint River Water Crisis of 2012-2013.
Hernán F. Gómez, Dominic A. Borgialli, Mahesh Sharman, Keneil K. Shah, Anthony J. Scolpino, James M. Oleske & John D. Bogden (2019) Analysis of blood lead levels of young children in Flint, Michigan before and during the 18-month switch to Flint River water, Clinical Toxicology, 57:9, 790-797, DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2018.1552003
Submitted by: Garry Winkler, MD on behalf of DEI Task Force