NAPLES, Italy — The Navy has once again tightened requirements to lease off-base homes in the Naples area. In addition to testing for bacteria, the service now will analyze samples for contaminants classified as volatile organic compounds.
Officials say they expanded testing based on findings from the first phase of the Navy’s public health assessment currently under way throughout Naples.
"We are expediting sample analysis for bacteria and VOCs," Navy officials said in a written statement on Sunday. "Through Phase I of the evaluation, they have been of greatest concern."
Volatile organic compounds are emitted by many products, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site. They include paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, and building materials and furnishings.
Navy officials launched the health assessment in February following concerns over the decadeslong trash crisis in Naples resulting in illegal burning and dumping, and burying of toxic materials.
Test results have prompted the Navy to move some families into base housing and hand out free bottled water to off-base households.
Almost one third of occupied off-base homes tested as part of the health assessment indicated excessive bacteria levels. Samples in some homes also showed the presence of an industrial solvent known as PCE, (a trade name for tetrachloroethylene) which officials say "has posed the greatest risk based on sampling to date."
The Environmental Protection Agency describes PCE as a component in aerosol dry-cleaning products. Individuals with prolonged exposure to PCE above maximum contaminant levels "over many years could have problems with their liver and may have an increased risk of getting cancer," according to the agency’s fact sheet.
Although Navy officials wouldn’t comment on any specific sources of contamination, they said illegal wells are a "long-standing problem that can adversely affect otherwise safe city water."
The testing of homes prior to leasing is an effort to "build an acceptable home data base and inventory for incoming personnel," according to the health assessment Web site.
Officials say there are no plans to test all off-base homes already occupied by U.S. residents. That may change based on information generated from the health assessment.
"It is designed to be a flexible process which can respond to unanticipated, emergent requirements and findings as well as adjust to results as they become available," officials said.
Results from Phase 1 of the health assessment are due in November.
