Mississippi Capital: Water Unsafe for Pregnant Women, Children

Officials in Jackson, Mississippi, warned citizens on Wednesday that the capital city’s municipal drinking water should be avoided by pregnant women and children due to elevated lead levels. Eight months ago, the Mississippi State Department of Health executed a mandatory sampling for lead and copper, and last month, the city was notified that lead levels exceeded appropriate amounts. In the full set of 100 sites re-sampled in January, lab results showed that 11 were above the lead action level. Though officials have told local media that the water is “not unsafe,” pregnant women and small children have been advised to avoid it out of an abundance of caution. Additional measures must now be met by the city because of the lead levels, including more frequent sampling.