The focus on the lead crisis in Flint has chiefly centered on the long-term effects of lead on developing minds. But lead does more than affect the ability to reason. It’s effects are widespread. Lead is a poison that affects virtually every system in the body. It is particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of fetuses and young children. One effect on fetuses is relatively straightforward, it’s to terminate a pregnancy. Studies suggest even low levels of lead exposure can hurt a fetus’ development in the womb. And for months now, the state health department has been looking into whether the Flint water crisis caused problems with pregnancies.