Final answer:
The General Motors plant in Flint stopped using the city's water in 2014 due to high lead levels, known as the Flint water crisis, despite officials' assurances of safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The General Motors plant in Flint stops using the city's water due to concerns of high levels of lead in 2014. However, the officials continued to tell residents that the water is safe.
In the spring of 2014, Flint, Michigan was under emergency financial management. The decision to save money by switching from Detroit municipal water to the Flint River led to the leaching of lead from aging water pipes into the water supply due to the corrosive nature of the river water. This decision resulted in the notorious Flint water crisis.
The Flint water crisis is an example of the dangerous impact environmental problems can have on marginalised communities. The decision to switch the water supply in an effort to cut costs exposed residents to toxic water containing lead and other contaminants. The inadequate response from officials and the consequent health effects on residents, particularly children and the elderly, illustrate how systemic issues contribute to disparities in environmental health outcomes.