It's so much worse than Flint: John Oliver expose blows the doors off another horrific lead scandal

The biggest lead-poisoning threat does not come from water, Oliver reports, but from ingesting lead paint dust

Published April 18, 2016 12:04PM (EDT)

"Last Week Tonight" host John Oliver last night centered his main segment on lead — as in the element that's effectively poisoned the drinking water in Flint, Michigan.

"Unfortunately, the problem is not just in Flint," Oliver explained, citing a USA Today Network report that "found lead contamination in almost 2,000 additional water systems spanning all 50 states."

However, "The biggest threat of lead poisoning to children does not come from water," he continued. "It comes from ingesting lead paint dust."

Oliver noted a 2011 American Healthy Homes survey that found an estimated 2.1 million U.S. homes containing "both a lead dust hazard and a child under six."

"Lead is almost as much of scourge in young children's homes as 'Frozen' merchandise," he added.

Watch the full segment below:


By Brendan Gauthier

Brendan Gauthier is a freelance writer.

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