US agencies investigate Navy fuel leak’s effect on civilians

By AUDREY McAVOY
Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — U.S. public health officials are investigating how civilians have been affected by the leakage of petroleum into Pearl Harbor’s tap water from a Navy fuel storage facility. The Hawaii Department of Health says it asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to conduct the study. The officials will survey civilians living in homes served by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam water distribution system. They will also try to reach those exposed to contaminated water at work or school. Hundreds complained of physical ailments from ingesting their water late last year.