D.C. Water Contaminated with Perchlorate

At the same time the FDA data was revealed, information was released that there is perchlorate contamination in the Washington Aqueduct in the Washington, DC area. It's thought that the contamination may be due to buried World War I munitions in the Spring Valley area of Washington, DC, which is north of the Dalecarlia Reservoir.

Perchlorate in the reservoir measured between 1.2 and 1.8 parts per billion. While this level is not thought to pose a health risk, there will now be weekly tests and regular monitoring of the water, and a more extensive search to establish the official source of the perchlorate contamination.

"I have a level of concern, given the context of that site," Gregg A. Pane, director of the D.C. Department of Health, said. "While there are no immediate steps called for, we are going to be taking a close look and be very vigilant about this."

Read more of my coverage on perchlorate and the thyroid now