State Representative Call for Immediate Blood Testing of Flint Students

In a letter sent to Governor Rick Snyder and Dr. Eden Wells, Chief Health Officer for Michigan, State Representative Sheldon Neeley has called for more expansive testing of Flint Students. Several school (Eisenhower and Freeman Elementary, Brownell/Holmes STEM academies) in Flint tested well above EPA levels.

As we look forward to possible changes in restoring and stabilizing our water condition in Flint, State Representative Sheldon Neeley remains concern about the most vulnerable population our children. Representative Neeley wants better detection practices as it relates to future problems with this particular group. Therefore he has requested that the state government begin a blood testing process for all children attending a Flint School at no cost to parents.

Representative Neeley has sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically, Dr. Eden Wells, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration Deputy Director. Dr. Wells is the state’s Chief Health Officer responsible for monitoring community health conditions, Representative Neeley has requested that more inclusive blood testing take place for children attending school.

According to the EPA, children absorb more lead in their growing bodies than adults. Their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Studies have shown that there is a connection between elevated blood levels and neurological problems leading to learning difficulties. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. And, the only way to understand a child’s level of exposure is to perform the appropriate blood test.