Opinion ID: 4536379
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Aftershock

Text: “Flint is currently in a state of crisis: Mayor Karen Weaver declared a State of Emergency on December 14, 2015 and on January 4, 2016, the Genesee County Commissioners declared a State of Emergency.” Id. at 96–97, ¶ 294 (Page ID #17899–17900). Governor Snyder did the same on January 5, 2016, but chose not to disclose the threat of legionella. Id. at 97, ¶ 295 (Page ID #17900). He disclosed that threat for the first time on January 13, 2016, on the same day that he activated the Michigan National Guard to assist the City of Flint. Id. at 97, ¶ 296 (Page ID #17900). The water crisis has created persistent harms. The effects of lead poisoning are “catastrophic,” particularly for young children. Id. at 104–05, ¶ 314 (Page ID #17907–08). “In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.” Id. (quoting EPA). “[L]ead affects children’s brain development resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioral changes such as shortening of attention span and increased antisocial behavior, and reduced educational attainment. . . . The neurological and behavioral effects of lead are believed to be irreversible.” Id. at 105, ¶ 315 (Page ID #17908) (quoting World Health Organization). In some cases, “ingestion of lead can cause seizures, coma and even death.” Id. at 105, ¶ 316 (Page ID #17908) (quoting EPA). In pregnant women, the fetus can be exposed to lead in the mother’s body, causing reduced growth and premature birth. Id. at 105, ¶ 317 (Page ID #17908). “Flint’s children have suffered specific, measurable damages in the form of lost earning potential. They have also incurred damages in the form of required special educational, medical, sociological, occupational and disability services, and related education assistance programs.” Id. at 106–07, ¶ 322 (Page ID #17909–10). In adults, lead exposure can damage cardiovascular, kidney, and reproductive functions. Id. at 107, ¶ 323 (Page ID #17910). A recent study shows a drastic drop in fertility following the Nos. 19-1425/1472/1477/1533 Waid et al. v. Snyder et al. Page 18 water crisis. Id. at 107, ¶ 324 (Page ID #17910). “Given the long-lasting risks of lead exposure and the potential for lead sediment to be disturbed and re-mobilized into the water system, Plaintiffs will require regular medical and tap water testing and evaluation, at bare minimum, in accordance with government standards.” Id. at 107, ¶ 325 (Page ID #17910). “Although the City has begun adding polyphosphate to its system to reduce the leaching of lead from its service lines, this is unlikely to render Flint’s water safe because many of the pipes have become so corroded that not even phosphate will be able to fully encapsulate the surface of the pipes and prevent lead from leaching into the water supply.” Id. at 109, ¶ 331 (Page ID #17912). The same problem applies to home pipes and appliances—meaning that solely replacing municipal pipes will not fix the health crisis. Id. at 109–12, ¶¶ 332–40 (Page ID #17912–15); id. at 119, ¶ 359 (Page ID #17922). And because “the health effects of lead poisoning often go undetected for some time,” there is a need for “ongoing medical monitoring[,] educational programs[, and] other remedial programs.” Id. at 119–20, ¶ 360 (Page ID #17922– 23). In many ways, the crisis has never ended.