February 2016 PMID 26691115

Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response.

Mona Hanna-Attisha, Jenny LaChance, Richard Casey Sadler, Allison Champney Schnepp

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Mentions

292
Peak: 9 in Apr 2019
across 7 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

194,686
potential audience

Total likes

31

Video views

488

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News198 articles
  • X / Twitter37 posts
  • Blogs35 articles
  • Facebook17 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall digital discussions reflect a high level of consensus on the severity of the Flint water crisis's impact on children's health, with participants citing specific statistics like the increase in children with elevated blood lead levels and referencing peer-reviewed studies. The tone is urgent and advocacy-driven, highlighting the public health implications and the environmental justice aspect, which drive a sense of shared responsibility and the need for policy changes.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions explicitly acknowledge the link between the water crisis in Flint and elevated blood lead levels, supporting the study's findings.

InterestHigh interest

Users show high engagement and concern, referencing the research, its implications, and advocating for public health action.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts quote specific statistics and mention peer-reviewed findings, indicating a deep level of involvement and analysis.

ImpactHigh impact

The majority emphasize the serious health implications and environmental justice issues, suggesting the discussion considers the societal significance of the findings.

Abstract in brief

  • The study examined how the Flint water crisis, caused by switching to a more corrosive water source without proper treatment, led to a significant increase in lead poisoning among children under 5, especially after 2013.
  • Blood lead levels roughly doubled from 24% to 49% following the water change, with the steepest increases (up to 66%) in disadvantaged neighborhoods, highlighting the environmental justice aspect of the crisis.
  • Spatial analysis revealed that poorer neighborhoods were most affected, prompting targeted public health responses; overall, the aging water infrastructure is a major concern for childhood lead exposure.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Alfredo Morabia
@AlfredoMorabia · X

@AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to improve #health https://t.co/t39PKXF1WV #NPHWchat #NPHW2019 @NPHW https://t.co/YxNa1HZWZP

Apr 3, 2019 · 11 likes · 9 shares · 2,227 followers View post →
Kevin Connor
@kevintconnor.bsky.social · Bluesky

You’d assume a dude who definitely thinks about the Roman Empire every day would be familiar with the dangers of lead poisoning… but you’d be wrong www.forbes.com/sites/kristi...

Mar 8, 2024 · 7 likes · 1 share View post →
Lown Institute
@lowninstitute · X

Her findings were peer-reviewed and published in February of 2016. The primary conclusion: “The percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels increased after water source change, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.” https://t.co/5acpW2TF4k

Jun 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 5,948 followers View post →
Leo Carney
@chefcarney · X

“Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response” #JaxNeedsWater. @msdh should follow up on lead levels in Hinds Co. @MississippiAdos https://t.co/Fb3pPAVa8G

Mar 28, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 3,272 followers View post →
#GettheLeadOut #ScienceIsReal #TruthMatters
@SafeH2o4Schools · X

@mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response Mona Hanna-Attisha @MonaHannaA https://t.co/TnCHiXA0ly

Nov 16, 2025 · 1 like · 2 shares · 13,632 followers View post →
FCarvajal
@CarvajalF · X

@KrisKobach1787 "Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and childhood lead poisoning has an impact on many developmental and biological processes, most notably intelligence, behavior, and overall life achievement." https://t.co/CM709kQzSz THE. #GOP… https://t.co/5wm1AcbCY1

Mar 8, 2024 · 1 like · 6,962 followers View post →

All mentions

TruthMatters
@WayPastTimeX · X

RT @SafeH2o4Schools: @mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of R…

Nov 17, 2025 · 2 shares · 1,023 followers View post →
TruthMatters
@WayPastTimeX · X

RT @SafeH2o4Schools: @MarcGravely @mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial…

Nov 17, 2025 · 2 shares · 1,023 followers View post →
#GettheLeadOut #ScienceIsReal #TruthMatters
@SafeH2o4Schools · X

RT @SafeH2o4Schools: @MarcGravely @mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial…

Nov 16, 2025 · 2 shares · 13,632 followers View post →
#GettheLeadOut #ScienceIsReal #TruthMatters
@SafeH2o4Schools · X

@MarcGravely @mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response @MonaHannaA https://t.co/3rJjqOax5w

Nov 16, 2025 · 2 shares · 13,632 followers View post →
#GettheLeadOut #ScienceIsReal #TruthMatters
@SafeH2o4Schools · X

RT @SafeH2o4Schools: @mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of R…

Nov 16, 2025 · 2 shares · 13,632 followers View post →
#GettheLeadOut #ScienceIsReal #TruthMatters
@SafeH2o4Schools · X

@mpsaz Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response Mona Hanna-Attisha @MonaHannaA https://t.co/TnCHiXA0ly

Nov 16, 2025 · 1 like · 2 shares · 13,632 followers View post →
ChemDestTv
@OluikpeD · X

Health, n engl j med, https://t.co/g0jH4nyyJ6, 374;12 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1601013 Hanna-Attisha M, LaChance J, Sadler RC, Champney Schnepp A (2016). Elevated blood lead levels in children associated with the Flint drinking water crisis: a spatial analysis of risk and public health

Sep 3, 2024 · 993 followers View post →
FCarvajal
@CarvajalF · X

@KrisKobach1787 "Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and childhood lead poisoning has an impact on many developmental and biological processes, most notably intelligence, behavior, and overall life achievement." https://t.co/CM709kQzSz THE. #GOP… https://t.co/5wm1AcbCY1

Mar 8, 2024 · 1 like · 6,962 followers View post →
Kevin Connor
@kevintconnor.bsky.social · Bluesky

You’d assume a dude who definitely thinks about the Roman Empire every day would be familiar with the dangers of lead poisoning… but you’d be wrong www.forbes.com/sites/kristi...

Mar 8, 2024 · 7 likes · 1 share View post →
caleb
@CountCaleb · X

@ZachRoseWriter Okay. https://t.co/f5scK3qm0z

Jun 27, 2023 · 4,189 followers View post →
Overton
@overtonio · X

The paper Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response was written by a team of paediatricians from a local hospital. https://t.co/k3wMMEAa3P https://t.co/IH6YvWYFv6

Mar 22, 2023 · 1 like · 1,014 followers View post →
Ethical Dilemmas in Science
@EthicDilemmaSci · X

Lead Pipes and the Flint Water Crisis: quenching thirst or drinking poison? https://t.co/Uev9UYW7hA via @YouTube

Aug 17, 2022 · 6 followers View post →
Lown Institute
@lowninstitute · X

Her findings were peer-reviewed and published in February of 2016. The primary conclusion: “The percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels increased after water source change, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods.” https://t.co/5acpW2TF4k

Jun 7, 2022 · 2 likes · 5,948 followers View post →
John R. Hoffman
@drjohnrhoffman · X

Lead Pipes and the Flint Water Crisis: quenching thirst or drinking poison? https://t.co/Jp8dQQfmgZ via @YouTube

Apr 2, 2022 · 701 followers View post →
Steve Aks
@ERtox · X

1. Blood lead levels in children in Flint, Michigan: 2006-2016 https://t.co/a4ELGjXcVY 2. Elevated blood lead levels in children associated with the Flint drinking water crisis: A spatial analysis of risk and public health response https://t.co/GfspPPlFhV #acmtnjc 2/3

Nov 8, 2021 · 1 like · 1,806 followers View post →
Leo Carney
@chefcarney · X

“Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response” #JaxNeedsWater. @msdh should follow up on lead levels in Hinds Co. @MississippiAdos https://t.co/Fb3pPAVa8G

Mar 28, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 3,272 followers View post →
patoriku
@patronpua · X

https://t.co/JqFRDvUZl8

Aug 15, 2020 · 621 followers View post →
Charlotte L Coolidge
@C_Coolidge · X

RT @C_Coolidge: Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of... https://t.…

Dec 17, 2019 · 3 shares · 11,668 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@NRO See study: Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels [5 mcg+] increased.. particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods [from 4% to 10.6%]." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ https://t.co/08V3i1S1vX

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@ryanaber @shaunking Please read the studies for yourself. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ https://t.co/fJTGeqh5SA

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@VeeEyeSeeKayTor @NRO The statistics were also misleading. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ https://t.co/Qusbljvg3R

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@jaymebyers1971 Please read the studies for yourself. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ https://t.co/6B21sy15e5

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@jaxsin_333 Please read the studies for yourself. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ https://t.co/Alp2uXjtiT

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@NRO @rkylesmith Please read the studies for yourself. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@royalbizsvcs Please read the studies for yourself. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
SLorantes
@slorantes · X

@Corduroyalism @NRO Please read the studies for yourself. Blood lead levels for children under 5 yrs before & after Flint water source change: "The percentage of children w/elevated blood lead levels increased... particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods." https://t.co/2LUoLoaKoZ

Aug 1, 2019 · 2,436 followers View post →
Save Water USA
@SaveWaterUSA1 · X

SOURCES: - PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) https://t.co/i9eFH1GcPb - AJPH (American Journal of Public Health) https://t.co/jnPqtK46w3

May 14, 2019 View post →
Itai Bavli, PhD
@ibavli · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 2,010 followers View post →
AJPH
@AMJPublicHealth · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 12,470 followers View post →
Shanaé Burch, Ed.D #CreatingHealthfulNarratives
@ShanaeRebecca · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 1,527 followers View post →
PublicHealthMaps
@PublicHealthMap · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 6,341 followers View post →
HCRFFUSA at the UN No Affiliation with Haiti
@hcrffngo · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 2,163 followers View post →
Katie Sellers
@ktsellers3 · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 257 followers View post →
National Public Health Week
@NPHW · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 26,210 followers View post →
Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH
@BrianCCastrucci · X

RT @AlfredoMorabia: @AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to…

Apr 3, 2019 · 9 shares · 12,799 followers View post →
Alfredo Morabia
@AlfredoMorabia · X

@AMJPublicHealth publishes the #science and the #history connecting #scientists to public health actors who can act to improve #health https://t.co/t39PKXF1WV #NPHWchat #NPHW2019 @NPHW https://t.co/YxNa1HZWZP

Apr 3, 2019 · 11 likes · 9 shares · 2,227 followers View post →
#GettheLeadOut #ScienceIsReal #TruthMatters
@SafeH2o4Schools · X

RT @j_bloyd: "Water is a growing source of childhood lead exposure because of aging infrastructure....even when one is surrounded by the Gr…

Jan 12, 2019 · 13,632 followers View post →
James Bloyd
@j_bloyd · X

"Water is a growing source of childhood lead exposure because of aging infrastructure....even when one is surrounded by the Great Lakes, safe drinking water is not a guarantee." #LeadInWater #HealthEquity #EJ #twill #waterislife #Flint https://t.co/AoXqkOEA9u

Jan 12, 2019 · 1,125 followers View post →