Houston, we have a problem.
Flint, Michigan is not the only area in the United States that has contaminated water supply. According to Jan Murphy, writer for PENN LIVE, Pennsylvania received a failing letter grade in taking action to prevent pipeline lead from reaching faucets in schools. Contamination in drinking water is expanding in schools all over the state and this in turn, affects the health of children. The problem is that there’s no law that requires water to be tested for defects, nor is there a law that deciphers the level of drinking water permitted in schools. Pennsylvania is avoiding to find a solution to the dangers of lead pollution in schools’ drinking water. Their lack in effort of tackling this situation can potentially result in death among students.
According to CNN, Flint has been dealing with contamination of their water sources since 2007 and issues haven’t been resolved to this day. Flint is at least addressing the problem by setting limits on lead consumption and spending the money rebuild pipelines to turn around the crisis on their end of the spectrum.
Lead consumption has the same health effects in Pennsylvania as it does in Flint, Michigan. Developmental problems, behavioral issues, and decreased hearing are just some of the many side effects that can happen to a child when consuming the toxic lead. Unfortunately, there’s no diagnosis for lead poisoning, so anyone who consumes it automatically is at risk.
Pennsylvania’s government will have to do some serious prioritizing because we’re talking about someone’s life being on the line. If children continue to consume this poisonous substance, their developmental skills will fall backwards, defeating the initial purpose of school. Reconstructing the pipelines, dictating laws, and spending necessary funds will help take a step in the right direction to a safer, stable school environment for children across the state of Pennsylvania.
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