. >> reporter: many flint residents like amber whitman worries about future health effects. she has a seven-year-old daughter and another child on the way. >> when this has been going on and no one has been aware of it for long periods of time, i 30 it would concern any parent. because most of the damage that is caused from lead is irreversible. >> reporter: amber is also concerned about her grandmother, 70-year-old amy penrose. >> they found a noticed on my kidney. my granddaughter researched it and found you can get cancer from water contaminated with lead. >> reporter: the state is distributing free filters similar to this. it's also providing free water testing to flint residents and pledged $9 million to help mitigate the crisis. but for a financially troubled city with nearly 42% living in poverty, the ongoing lead crisis is a mounting burden. >> we were already having trouble trying to purchase just food. and now what little assistance i had from the state has to completely go towards water. in the meantime, our water bill even though we're not using it is like $120 a