Background. The lead (Pb) exposure crisis in Flint, Michigan has passed from well-publicized event to a footnote, while its biological and social impact will linger for lifetimes. Interest in the “water crisis” has dropped to pre-event levels, which is neither appropriate nor safe. Flint’s exposure was severe, but it was not unique. Problematic Pb levels have also been found in schools and daycares in 42 states in the USA. The enormity of Pb exposure via municipal water systems requires multiple responses. Herein, we focus on addressing a possible answer to long-term sequelae of Pb exposure. We propose “4R’s” (remediation, renovation, reallocation, and research) against the Pb crisis that goes beyond a short-term fix. Remediation for affected individuals must continue to provide clean water and deal with both short and long-term effects of Pb exposure. Renovation of current water delivery systems, at both system-wide and individual site levels, is necessary. Reallocation of resources is needed to ensure these two responses occur and to get communities ready for potential sequelae of Pb exposure. Finally, properly focused research can track exposed individuals and illuminate latent (presumably epigenetic) results of Pb exposure and inform further resource reallocation.

Conclusion. Motivation to act by not only the general public but also by scientific and medical leaders must be maintained beyond initial news cycle spikes and an annual follow-up story. Environmental impact of Pb contamination of drinking water goes beyond one exposure incident in an impoverished and forgotten Michigan city. Population effects must be addressed long-term and nationwide.

背景。密歇根州弗林特市的铅 (Pb) 暴露危机已从广为人知的事件变成了注脚，而其生物和社会影响将持续一生。对“水危机”的兴趣已经下降到事件发生前的水平，这既不合适也不安全。弗林特的暴露情况很严重，但并非独一无二。在美国 42 个州的学校和日托中心也发现了有问题的铅含量。市政供水系统中铅暴露的严重性需要多重应对。在此，我们专注于解决长期问题的可能答案Pb 暴露的后遗症。我们提出“4R's”（补救、改造、重新分配和研究）来应对超越短期修复的铅危机。受影响个人的补救措施必须继续提供清洁水并处理铅暴露的短期和长期影响。有必要在整个系统和单个站点级别对当前的供水系统进行改造。需要重新分配资源以确保发生这两种反应，并让社区为铅暴露的潜在后遗症做好准备。最后，适当集中的研究可以追踪暴露的个体并阐明铅暴露的潜在（可能是表观遗传）结果，并为进一步的资源重新分配提供信息。

结论。除了最初的新闻周期高峰和每年的后续报道之外，必须保持不仅是普通公众，而且是科学和医学领导者采取行动的动机。饮用水铅污染对环境的影响超出了一个贫困和被遗忘的密歇根城市的一次暴露事件。必须在全国范围内长期解决人口影响问题。