This is something totally wrong still on the state web site!
Check out the date! This needs to be removed yesterday. No and I repeat no
water is safe to drink right now in Flint and other advisories state that.
They have to update these things!
Joe
October 27, 2015
Dear Parent,
To help make sure the children of Flint are safe from lead exposure, the
Genesee County Health
Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are
providing answers to the
following questions:
? Where does lead come from?
? What can I do to protect my family?
? Should I get my child tested for lead?
? Where can I find more information about lead?
Where does lead come from?
Elevated levels of lead have been found in the drinking water from lead pipes
in the City of Flint. Kids can
also be exposed to lead from old lead paint, soil, pottery, cosmetics and toys
and some home remedies.
Adult jobs and hobbies, like auto repair, stained glass, jewelry making and
ammunitions handling can also
put children at risk if they touch clothing or play in areas where lead is
found. Lead is a serious health
hazard, especially for small children who become lead poisoned when they eat,
drink or breathe lead.
Should my child get a blood lead test? Children who live in the City of Flint,
live in a home using City
of Flint water, or who attend school, childcare or often spend time with a
caregiver in the City of Flint
should be tested for lead poisoning.
This should be done as soon as possible.
Where should I go to get a blood lead test for my child?
The best place to get your child’s blood lead test is your doctor’s office.
Tests are covered by most health
plans. Your doctor will follow up with you on lab tests and provide you with
information on what to do
next. Your child can also get a free lead test at the Genesee County Health
Department. If you need
transportation, contact 2-1-1 for help.
Understanding your child’s lead test result.
A lead level below 5 means there is a little lead in your child’s blood. Use
the tips below to help keep your
child safe. Your doctor may suggest retesting your child within the next 12
months to make sure the level
does not go up.
A lead level of 5-44 means that your child has had some exposure to lead. Work
with your doctor and
local health department for further guidance on how to limit your lead
exposure. Your doctor may retest
your child in 1-3 months to make sure the level does not go up.
Children with very high levels of lead (over 44) may require treatment at the
hospital.
What Can I Do to Keep My Family Safe?
The following steps should be taken right away to help protect you and your
child.
Protecting your family from lead in the water:
? Get your water tested for lead. It’s free. Call (810) 787-6537 to learn more.
? Use a water filter in your home. Call 2-1-1 for information on free NSF
Certified water
filters.
? Run only cold water through the filter.
? If you do not have a water filter, use bottled water for drinking and mixing
formula.
? Use filtered or bottled water for drinking (including making coffee, drink
mixes, juice, baby
formula), and cooking (even if you boil the water, the lead will stay in the
water and food).
? You can use unfiltered tap water for washing your hands and washing dishes.
? If you have to use unfiltered water for drinking or cooking, run the tap for
five minutes
before using the water.
Safe cleaning:
Safe cleaning is important. Keeping your home clean and safe from lead hazards
will help to
protect your family.
? Buildings built before 1978 could have lead paint in them.Use wet paper
towels to clean up
paint chips and dust in these older buildings. Be sure to clean around windows,
play areas,
and floors.
? Wash hands and toys often with soap and water.
? You can use unfiltered tap water to wipe down countertops, mop floors, and
wash clothes.
Good nutrition:
Some foods will help keep lead from being stored in a child’s body. These are
foods with a lot of
calcium, iron and vitamin C. These foods include:
Table with 3 columns and 2 rowsCalcium Rich Foods
Iron Rich Foods
Foods with Vitamin C
? Milk
? Cheese
? Yogurt
? Tofu
? Spinach
? Beans
? Lean meats like fish
and chicken
? Whole grain cereals
? Peanut butter
? Oranges
? Orange juice
? Grapefruits
? Tomatoes
? Green peppers
Table end Always wash your fruits with filtered water. If you are
concerned about your child’s diet, talk with
your doctor who may also recommend a daily multivitamin.
WIC and SNAP provide assistance to parents and children who need fresh and
healthy foods.
Contact the Genesee County WIC office at (810) 237-4537 to learn more. SNAP
also offers a
Double Bucks program to purchase even more healthy food for no additional
costs.
Where can I get more information on lead?
? Genesee County Health Department Lead Program
(810) 257-3833 www.gchd.us ? Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
(888) 322-4453 www.michigan.gov/lead ? United States Environmental Protection
Agency www.epa.gov/lead ? U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Web site
www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead These recommendations will stay in effect until the
Genesee County Health Department lifts the
restrictions on water usage.
Sincerely,
Eden V. Wells, MD, MPH, FACPM
Chief Medical Executive
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Gary K. Johnson, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Genesee County Health Department
