July 17, 2019

From Flint to Newark: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha Talks Lead in Drinking Water

NEWARK, NJ (July 15, 2019) – Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the Flint pediatrician who used science to prove Flint kids were exposed to lead through drinking water, will speak at a public event on Wednesday evening, July 17th, in Newark, which faces its own drinking water crisis. Dr. Hanna-Attisha is expected to share her first-hand account of the Flint water crisis and her role – as an immigrant, a doctor, and a scientist – in helping turn the Flint crisis around.

After hearing Dr. Hanna-Attisha’s presentation, Newark residents will share their experiences with Newark’s own drinking water crisis. In addition, there will be filter installation demonstrations and free filters will be distributed to eligible residents, as available.

Safe Water for Newark:

East Ward Community Forum & Filter Distribution Event

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 pm — 9 pm

Location: St Stephan’s Church, 7 Wilson Ave, Newark, NJ 07105

Lead-contaminated drinking water is an issue in Flint and beyond, including Newark. Levels of lead in Newark’s drinking water are more than three times the federal action level – the level that triggers government action. Since June 2017, Newark has received five notices of noncompliance for exceeding the federal action level, yet levels continue to rise.

NRDC and the NEW Caucus, a group of public school educators, have taken officials from the City of Newark and State of New Jersey to court to ensure that Newark residents have access to safe, clean drinking water every time they turn on the tap.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.