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Parents line up to have kids tested for lead

Posted at 9:00 PM, Jan 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-26 21:00:24-05

Hundreds of Flint families turned out Tuesday to have their young children tested for possible lead exposure.
The contamination of the city's water supply has potentially exposed thousands of people to danger.

"Fingers crossed that my babies are okay, but of course, I'm nervous," Mia Ward said as she waited in line with her two young daughters at Eisenhower Elementary School.

Children can face development problems because of lead exposure, according to health professionals.

Ward shared the concern and frustration many parents feel.

She told 7 Action News that she's angry that the health of her children could be compromised because state officials made the decision to switch Flint's water source in 2014 in order to save money.

One hundred ten tests were conducted at the first lead clinic on January 12, according to Heidi McGlinnen of Molina Healthcare.

Molina is putting on 15 clinics in Flint in conjunction with the Genesee County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Human Health and Services.