Something in the Water
By: Hannah Heitz
Childhood lead poisoning has both physical and cognitive effects. Parents describe a lack of physical growth and cognitive delays in children, which will have a cascadinge effect on their future development, such as decreased growth and lower IQ.[1] Aims are now focused on minimizing damage; good nutrition can decrease absorption of toxins like lead, so diets high in vitamin C, iron, and calcium are recommended. This advice seems simple, but Flint has little access to grocery stores—another burden on the poverty-stricken community.[2]
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1. Landrigan, P. J., Schechter, C. B., Lipton, J. M., Fahs, M. C., & Schwartz, J. (2002). Environmental pollutants and disease in American children: estimates of morbidity, mortality, and costs for lead poisoning, asthma, cancer, and developmental disabilities. Environmental health perspectives,110(7), 721.
2. Kant, A. K. (2003). Reported consumption of low-nutrient-density foods by American children and adolescents: nutritional and health correlates, NHANES III, 1988 to 1994. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine,157(8), 789-796.