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Lead smelters provide a crucial service, but what of the health effects?

Mar 29, 2023
A secondary lead smelter near Los Angeles is planning to expand, distressing residents concerned about potential illness.
The Quemetco secondary lead smelter, one of the last remaining facilities in the country, is planning to expand. People living nearby aren't happy. Above, a lead and silver smelting plant in operation.
Aizar Raldes/AFP via Getty Images

Flint residents are furious as discounted water bills end

Mar 2, 2017
Widespread lead contamination devastated Flint, Michigan. Since then, residents have been getting discounted water bills. But as of March 1, those discounts end as officials say the water is safe to use. That’s despite recommendations that residents keep filtering their water as pipes are repaired. The announcement has many in the stricken city furious.  Click […]

Flint isn't the only city with lead poisoning problems

Dec 19, 2016
A Reuters investigation found thousands of areas with higher lead levels.
Brysten Edwards, second from left sits with other boys on a wall ledge at the West Calumet Housing Complex on September 4, 2016 in East Chicago, Indiana. The soil at the complex has been found to contain high levels of lead and arsenic putting all residents in danger if exposed to the elements. Edwards was tested for lead poisoning and his results came back positive. Over 1,000 residents are being asked by the East Chicago Housing Authority to relocate, after plans were decided to demolish the housing complex.
Joshua Lott/Getty Images

How Flint Schools are faring now

Sep 23, 2016
Superintendent Bilal Tawwab says there's still work to be done.
Flint schools still have to use bottled water.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

In Los Angeles, lack of trust makes lead cleanup tougher

May 5, 2016
In East Los Angeles, the state agency that let a battery recycling plan operate for years must clean up after it.
Jessica Prieto (right) signs up Hillary Velasquez for soil testing in East Los Angeles.
Jed Kim/Maketplace