A U.S. federal court has ruled that residents of Jackson, Mississippi, do not have a constitutional right to municipal drinking water free of lead, a neurotoxin.
The ruling also stated that residents do not have a constitutional right to truthful information from public officials. The case was brought by Jackson residents who alleged the city allowed lead into the water system and then falsely informed them it was safe.
The Environmental Working Group stated that knowing the contents of drinking water is fundamental to protecting public health. Jackson’s population is approximately 150,000, with nearly a quarter being children under 18, who are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure’s toxic effects.
Source: Mongabay