Hold the CDC Accountable for Lying to DC Residents About Their Water

Hold the CDC Accountable for Lying to DC Residents About Their Water

Started
May 20, 2010
Petition to
Thomas Frieden and 2 others
Petition Closed
This petition had 1,422 supporters

Why this petition matters

Started by Sarah Parsons

An investigation conducted by the House subcommittee on science and technology found that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) knowingly lied to Washington, D.C. residents about dangers in their drinking water. The CDC used flawed and incomplete data to show that elevated lead levels in tap water did not pose a public health risk. In reality, the toxin caused extremely high lead levels in residents' blood, and may continue to create problems today.

In 2004, nearly one million DC residents discovered that lead levels in their drinking water had spiked. While the CDC conducted an investigation into potential health risks, the agency, under the direction of study author Mary Jean Brown, misrepresented data to give the impression that lead-contaminated water was safe for children to drink.  The agency also failed to collect all the necessary blood samples before publishing the report and assessing the situation. Subsequent research by the agency showed a clear link between DC's water problems and lead poisoning in local children, a fact that the CDC chose not to disclose.

Elevated lead levels in blood can cause development problems for fetuses and children, so it's especially dangerous to kids and pregnant women. Tell the CDC that we won't allow it to knowingly deceive the public. Sign the below petition to demand Mary Jean Brown's resignation and a retraction of the CDC's findings.

 

Petition Closed

This petition had 1,422 supporters

Share this petition

Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code

Decision Makers

  • Thomas Frieden
  • Mary Jean Brown
  • Glen Nowak