Flint, MI Water Lead Testing
Donation protected
What’s this about?
By this point, most people are aware of the incomprehensible situation happening in Flint, Michigan. Lead contamination makes their drinking water unsafe, which has led to the death of 10, and the increased blood lead levels of dozens more. Safe drinking water is a basic right that everyone across North America should be able to access, and right now, that’s not the case.
What’s the problem?
Even to ancient civilizations, lead was known to be dangerous for humans. Knowing this just makes the Flint problem all the more tragic. Political turmoil leaves uncertainty about funding opportunities for research. Without adequate research into the kind of lead in the water, there is not enough information to know how to fix it – a real solution, not just a bandaid.
What can be done?
In Canada, there is a lab that can help. The University of Alberta is home to the SWAMP lab – an ultra-clean metal-free research facility with the some of the most sophisticated trace metal-testing capabilities in the entire world (read more about it here!). Under the direction of Dr. William Shotyk , SWAMP has the ability to measure lead down to parts per quadrillion. That’s like a few raindrops in Lake Huron. And perhaps cooler than that, they have the ability to tell what form the lead has taken – and thus how to best get rid of it. Dr. Jerome Nriagu, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan and one of the leading voices in the world regarding lead contamination and human health, has reached out to Dr. Shotyk and the SWAMP for help.
How can I be of help?
The SWAMP lab is funded by research grants from the government and from industry. But since these funds are all allocated for existing studies, the SWAMP lab on its own cannot begin to study the waters of Flint, Michigan without financial support.
Any funds raised by this page will go directly to the testing of Flint water in the one of the cleanest lab in the world. The information this data will provide will be absolutely invaluable to the return of safe water to this community.
So thank you – any bit helps!

By this point, most people are aware of the incomprehensible situation happening in Flint, Michigan. Lead contamination makes their drinking water unsafe, which has led to the death of 10, and the increased blood lead levels of dozens more. Safe drinking water is a basic right that everyone across North America should be able to access, and right now, that’s not the case.
What’s the problem?
Even to ancient civilizations, lead was known to be dangerous for humans. Knowing this just makes the Flint problem all the more tragic. Political turmoil leaves uncertainty about funding opportunities for research. Without adequate research into the kind of lead in the water, there is not enough information to know how to fix it – a real solution, not just a bandaid.
What can be done?
In Canada, there is a lab that can help. The University of Alberta is home to the SWAMP lab – an ultra-clean metal-free research facility with the some of the most sophisticated trace metal-testing capabilities in the entire world (read more about it here!). Under the direction of Dr. William Shotyk , SWAMP has the ability to measure lead down to parts per quadrillion. That’s like a few raindrops in Lake Huron. And perhaps cooler than that, they have the ability to tell what form the lead has taken – and thus how to best get rid of it. Dr. Jerome Nriagu, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan and one of the leading voices in the world regarding lead contamination and human health, has reached out to Dr. Shotyk and the SWAMP for help.
How can I be of help?
The SWAMP lab is funded by research grants from the government and from industry. But since these funds are all allocated for existing studies, the SWAMP lab on its own cannot begin to study the waters of Flint, Michigan without financial support.
Any funds raised by this page will go directly to the testing of Flint water in the one of the cleanest lab in the world. The information this data will provide will be absolutely invaluable to the return of safe water to this community.
So thank you – any bit helps!
Organizer
Allie Stephan
Organizer
Edmonton, AB
