Yale Study Finds Lower Birth Weight in Flint Children Following Water Crisis
The Yale
School of Public Health found that babies born to mothers who were exposed
to contaminated water from the Flint River had lower birth weights, according
to research published in the Journal of Population Economics.
Flint officials switched the drinking water to the Flint
River in April 2014 in an effort to save money. It was later determined that
the river had unsafe levels of lead, bacteria, and other contaminants, which
had leached into the water, and thereby, the affecting residents of Flint.
Yale professor Xi Chen said, “Our study shows that the
impact {of the Flint water crisis} is evident as early as the beginning of
life, and it could be long-lasting for decades to come. It has much larger
effects towards minority groups.”
The relationship between the Flint water crisis and lower
birthweights will help researchers understand the long-term economic and social
effects of water pollution. Since birth weight is the most critical factor in
predicting long-term development like school performance or job placement and
salary.
Compared to the national average, babies born in Flint were
born over one ounce lighter, with a 15.5 percent frequency. Researchers found
that mothers from majority groups with higher educations and incomes tended to
purchase bottled water after the crisis, avoiding their exposure to lead
contamination.
Those mothers who were at more of a disadvantage or in
minority groups with lower education levels were more susceptible to giving
birth to children with lower birth weight.
Chen said, “They [disadvantaged mothers] had very little
room for adaptation because buying the [bottled] water needed knowledge and
also the money.”
The people who suffered from the Flint water crisis
experienced both long- and short-term consequences. Health disparities in early
life stages might lead to more significant gaps in health and well-being
throughout their lifetimes. About 1500 babies were born in the Flint area in
2014.
To ensure your water is free from lead and other
contaminants, contact the water purification experts at Reynolds Water today.
Reynolds Water Conditioning was
established in 1931 and is Michigan’s oldest water conditioning treatment
company. Still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, we take pride in
providing the highest quality products at a cost-effective price. If your tap
water lacks the quality you deserve, contact us today at www.reynoldswater.com or
call 800-572-9575.
Written by the
digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.
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