The water crisis in Flint, Michigan could only be solved by social scientists and not physical scientists.
A True
B False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B) False.
The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, was a complex issue that required the involvement of both physical and social scientists. While social scientists played a significant role in addressing the social, political, and economic factors that contributed to the crisis, physical scientists were crucial in identifying the technical and environmental issues, as well as in providing solutions for water contamination and safety.
The crisis began in 2014 when Flint switched its water source from Detroit’s water system to the Flint River in an attempt to save money. The physical science component was critical in identifying the cause of lead contamination in the water. Corrosive water from the Flint River caused lead pipes to leach lead into the water supply. The role of environmental engineers, chemists, and water quality experts was key in determining the chemical reactions at play and in proposing methods to treat the water, prevent further corrosion, and replace the lead pipes.
At the same time, social scientists were necessary to address the public health implications, the community’s trust in government, and the legal and policy responses to the crisis. Social scientists such as sociologists, public health experts, and political scientists helped in understanding the impact of the crisis on the residents of Flint, addressing the psychological toll of the disaster, and advocating for policy changes. Additionally, they provided insights into how systemic issues of racism, governance, and public policy contributed to the crisis.
Thus, the Flint water crisis could not have been resolved by social scientists alone, nor by physical scientists alone. Both fields were indispensable in analyzing the problem and finding solutions.