It turns out I may have been on the mark when I wrote that my family's ill-health might be related to the water here. Although there's no evidence at this time that Pensacola NAS is hiding anything, check out what the Marines are up against at Camp Lejeune: benzene, and a massive cover-up. The complete story is here, but here are the details. In 1984, the benzene levels were tested at 380 parts per billion; the safe level? 5 parts per billion. The same report was later edited to read 38 parts per billion, then finally edited to omit the benzene levels completely. Does this mean the water is now safe? Um, no. First, the reports all referred back to the 1984 tests - so the numbers shouldn't have changed at all. Secondly, tests done between 2007 and 2009 found the benzene levels to be a staggering 3,490 parts per billion.
What's so bad about Benzene? Oh, the usual: destruction of your bone marrow, blood, immune system, a bit of cancer... Here's the CDC's page about benzene poisoning. Note that it specifically mentions contaminated water as a prominent source of the poisoning, and how drastic the measures are if you're exposed. For example, you're to cut off your clothes, use tongs to put them in a sealed plastic bag, and call a hazmat team. This is the stuff our Marines, and their spouses, and their babies and pets have been drinking. It's a wonder there weren't any reports of glowing baby bottles with the lead from the infant formula mixing with the benzene in the water (reason # 267836394821018363 to breastfeed...).
While we've recently switched to a supposedly top-of-the-line water filter system, I think it's time to get my family tested. Even if your water supply is "safe", there are many chemicals they don't have to test for or list at all - who's to say they aren't the most important ones to your family's health? I'm not waiting around to find out.
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