Chemistry and the Flint Water Crisis - Speaking of Chemistry

Virginia Tech researchers helped prove that lead levels were dangerously high in Flint’s tap water, even when government officials denied the problem. We visited the researchers to see how they're using standard analytical chemistry to try and make water safer.

Want to learn more about the story of lead in water in Flint and around the U.S.? Start with these resources.

How Lead Ended Up In Flint’s Tap Water | C&EN

Flint Water Study Updates

Lead Levels in Water Misrepresented Across U.S.| Washington Post (2004)

Flint Weighs Scope of Harm to Children Caused by Lead | New York Times

Lead taints drinking water in hundreds of schools, day cares across USA | USA Today

Examining Federal Administration of the Safe Drinking Water Act in Flint, Michigan

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Music: Deadlines- BHZimmy

Producer/Editor: Noel Waghorn

Writer: Matt Davenport, Ph.D.

Videographer: Sean Parsons

Executive Producer: Noel Waghorn

Scientific consultants:
Jeff Parks, Ph.D.

[eyesofnova]

I love when they told the people that their water was safe to drink even after looking the way it did

[skydivertyler]

I live in Holt, Michigan. Which is about half an hour to an hour away from Flint. The ignorance of the rich people in positions of local government is terrible.

[victorvaldez]

Who is voting this videos down? Are there members of Flint governments here? is the only logical way to explain why people vote this wonderful video down.

[gigglysamentz]

I am worried this video is scaring people into drinking bottled water, which is a disaster of unsustainibility.

[IncarniChicken]

Just found this channel: Intriguing videos. subscribed!

[cindyjones]

hi, would you do a video on Chlorella and other algae and their efficacy as heavy metal chelators? there is so much misinformation out on the web. tnx!

[ashlit.]

one dislike wow they should put something in the inside of the pipes while preventing the rough from getting into the water

[moonmadness]

The saddest thing about all of this, I was born n raised in flint mich, 20 some odd years.had my first born there, since I was little, I knew better then to drink plain water, I had to dose it down with koolaid and 3 cups of sugar!yes I said three cups of sugar.i always boiled all my water for everything, except bathing, stupid but I didn’t think there was that much wrong w the water.my dad told me it was to blame on the iron, so I believed in his words, he believed in some one else’s words.and to hear the people in higher positions knew all along about the dangers of being around it make me sick.i have always known though there was something wrong with flint n up north water.

[Itsbestbro]

There is money to give tax breaks for corporations but not for the replacement of lead pipes.

[symbolxchannel]

Why not temporarily fluoride the water to pacify the lead pipes? Or maybe make the water a little more basic?

[SICSIC]

Thats what you get when your country hates any type of regulations :/

[moonmadness]

Hi, anyone whose ever been close to the flint river, would know better then to even consider using it for dumping stolen cars, (in its time it had been used for just that), let alone what we drink, bath, n clean our homes with.(cloths, dishes, and all of the above)!!!!who would of thought that any good would of ever come out of that idea.

[bestamerica]

'
come on america in the city of flint area...
time to fix new pipes, new water filters to cleans water...
how about the lakes, rivers, ponds...
all three water can uses water tanks to water filters to clean water...
snow is a so clean white ice water snow...
dont worry about currencys

[lugosky]

So this is an advocacy video. Why not some good chemistry about what happened instead?

[Christof]

Lead belongs in my race car's fuel tank not drinking water,

[ErinRaciell]

The mayor needs to lose his job and go to jail!

[sooooooooDark]

u r a rich first world country
just use tap water to make ur own distilled water
it costs (electricity-wise) like "upper middle class" water (price same like vitel but way less bpa)
and no distilled water doesnt kill u
i drank distilled water exclusively for 8 months and im still alive