State, federal and local agencies expanding Flint sampling to understand skin rash concerns

Following concerns from Flint, Michigan residents experiencing rashes and hair loss, several federal, state and county health and water organizations are working to perform more samplings tests to better understand the public health concerns.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other state and county health agencies have taken samples from 95 homes whose residents have raised concerns over skin rashes, hair loss and other health issues. In their efforts to learn more about the medical issues, the CDC and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have been contacting Flint residents, and the most recent samples will be tested for phosphate, chloride and 26 metals. The agencies are working to understand the rash illness so that they can implement public health interventions for it.

In addition to the MDHHS and CDC efforts, the EPA is expanding its Flint water sampling program to see if there are any disinfection byproducts, like trihalomethanes (THM) and other organic compounds, in the distribution system. The sampling will now include hot and cold samples from some homes, and the results will be shared with the MDHHS and CDC.

The EPA still recommends that Flint residents use water filters and that pregnant women and those who are nursing, as well as children under six years old, use bottled water.