PFAS contaminate the blood of every American and have been linked to serious health problems, including cancer and harm to the reproductive and immune systems. Lake levels are rising across the world and climate change is to blame, Artificial sweetener erythritol linked to heart attacks and strokes, Strange quantum event happens once every 10 billion chances, Northern lights: The best pictures of the aurora taken across the UK, The radical new experiments that hint at plant consciousness, Mediterranean diet may prevent cognitive issues for people with MS. Eielson Air Force Base ( AFB) is an active installation established in 1944. Residents and servicemembers are now taking action for the harm they suffered, so read on for more about the link between military bases and water contamination, as well as whats involved in filing a lawsuit. "We're really, really happy to be bringing this documentary to Hawaii because the water here is at risk, the water here has been contaminated," he said, referring to the Navy Red Hill fuel leak in November 2021. PFAS foam gathers at the the Van Etten Creek dam in Oscoda township, Michigan, near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Americans are exposed to dozens of PFAS every day. I do think its great that the ATSDR did this, saidRoger Arvo, aBeavertonresident who was aU.S. Air Forcesergeant on the Wurtsmith base from 1974 to 1977. Click on a marker for base information. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) opened Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts in 1942. They sit at the interfaces between water and particles, water and biota, they can transfer to the atmosphere and theyre so abundant they cycle around the wider environment, and thats the problem weve got.. For more information on the Air Force's response to Reese visit: https://www.afcec.af.mil/Home/BRAC/Reese.aspx. Each base should have its water information posted, Sullivan said. Kirtland Air Force Base jet fuel leak, USA A decades-old jet fuel spill contaminated soil and groundwater beneath Kirtland Air Force Base, moving towards wells supplying drinking water to Albuquerque. The former england air force base in alexandria, louisiana was the most severely contaminated place we visited, with 10,970,000 parts per trillion of pfas in the groundwater. OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) - A community is looking for answers after dealing with contaminated water for nearly two years. This Polar bears have a PFAS problem: Pollution from the forever chemicals known as PFAS contaminates polar bears, tigers, monkeys, pandas, dolphins and fish and has been documented in more than 330 From coast to coast, and in almost every state in the U.S., high levels of the forever chemicals known as PFAS contaminate freshwater fish. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, its an umbrella term for a family of thousands of chemicals about 12,000 at the last count that are prized for their indestructible and non-stick properties. They have also been linked to low birthweight, birth defects, delayed development and newborn deaths in laboratory animals. But Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Environment Maureen Sullivan said Thursday that was "really a wild guess" based on rough calculations during congressional testimony. For the general public, the main sources of PFAS exposure are from drinking water and food, such as eating fish, eggs, or milk, or livestock that has fed on contaminated land. In a successful case, you may be able to receive compensation for the following: In most cases, your lawsuit would be filed against the company that manufactured the firefighting foam believed to be the source of your PFAS exposure; you would not be suing the U.S. military. Know your environment. PFAS chemicals are used in industry and consumer products such as food packaging, commercial household products, stain- and water-repellent fabrics, non-stick cookware, polishes, waxes and paint. Arvos health problems since his service at the base include breast tumors, which are relatively unusual in men; kidney surgeries; severe headaches, a degenerative brain condition and a recent diagnosis of cancer of the spine. Former England Air Force Base near Alexandria, Louisiana is the most contaminated place on our nationwide tour and perhaps, anywhere on earth, with deadly PFAS found in the groundwater at 10,970,000 ppt. The group is charged with focusing on the health effects of contamination, cleanup standards and performance, finding science-supported standards for exposure and cleanup, and coordinating agencies to address the problems. Today, Teflon-like compounds called PFAS are found in the blood of almost all Americans. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is located in Iosco County, Michigan. In a March report provided to the House Armed Services Committee, the Pentagon for the first time publicly listed the full scope of the known contamination. Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism), Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, Texas, Seymour Johnson Air Force base, North Carolina, Wurtsmith Air Force base (Oscoda), Michigan, Past and future medical expenses, including prescription costs, surgery, medical treatments and doctors visits, Loss of marital benefits (care, comfort, sex, etc. The Maj. Richard Star Act would eliminate the dollar-for-dollar offset on retirement pay that combat-disabled vets with less Capt. Just fill out the form on this page to get started. In New Mexico, the Air Force recognized in 1999 that jet fuel had contaminated groundwater below Kirtland Air Force Base and surrounding neighborhoods. A spokesman for Air Mobility Command told Military.com that airmen's missions take them around the globe and often involve Copyright 2023 Military.com. PFAS chemicals have been found in the drinking water of 19 million Americans in 49 states, and unreleased EPA data show that up to 110 million people may have PFAS-contaminated drinking water, according to EWG, which maintains a map of contaminated sites, including military and civilian locations. PFAS chemicals have been detected in the drinking water of19 million Americans in 49 states, and unreleased EPA data show that up to110 millionpeople may have PFAS-contaminated drinking water. In 2016 the EPA established a new, lower guideline for acceptable levels of PFOS or PFOA levels in water supplies: no more 70 parts per trillion. You can learn more about the difference between class action and individual lawsuits here. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. DoD was only able to do that quickly at the 24 locations where it manages the water supply. It's 450,000 people. The number of active and former U.S. military installations found to be contaminated with chemical compounds found in firefighting foam is expected to rise as a Defense Department task force investigates the scope of the problem, the group's chairman said Thursday. Today, Teflon-like compounds called PFAS are found in the blood of almost all Americans. Everything you need to know about forever chemicals detected in air, water, soils, sediments and rain. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson was asked about the exposure this week on Capitol HIll, where she was testifying about the services fiscal 2019 budget needs. Its an issue not just in New Hampshire, but at military installations across this country, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire. No. A specialized substance designed to extinguish fires caused by petroleum and other flammable liquids, AFFF is known to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of toxic chemicals. The Conversation airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1. The water was contaminated by firefighting foam used at the former Pease Air Force Base. This means if you want to pursue legal action over your injury, you will need to file your own lawsuit with your own attorney. Direct exposure can also come via cosmetics, sprays or dust from consumer products, but little is known of the impacts through these pathways. There are more than 25,000 soldiers and civilians who live and work on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which also supports more than 100,000 military retirees and nearly 30,000 family members. This document will also lay out why the manufacturers of toxic firefighting foam are responsible for the harm you suffered. Groundwater near the Willow Grove base was found to have PFAS at 329,500 ppt. Negotiators from the House and Senate are hammering out a final version of the defense spending bill. Bryan was among those instrumental in bringing awareness about another water contaminant emanating from the Wurtsmith base, nonstick forever chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. There are nearly 700 military installations with either confirmed or suspected ground water contamination caused by fire-fighting foam using in vehicle and aircraft mishaps, according to new. All of that falls short of the concrete help veterans of Wurtsmith and other contaminated military bases need in getting their health problems addressed, Arvo said. Aside from chemicals manufacturing plants, any site that has regularly used PFOS-laden aqueous film-forming firefighting foams, such as airfields, military bases and firefighting training grounds, could in theory contaminate soils, air and water in the vicinity. In July the House passed its version of the act, with several PFAS amendments, including one that woulddesignate PFAS as hazardous substances under the federal Superfund law. Exposure and digestion of the water can be harmful. This interview aired onThe Conversationon Feb. 24, 2023. But the NDAA fell short of whats needed to address the serious public health risks posed by PFAS, especially PFOS and its close chemical cousin PFOA. Groundwater in Alexandria, Louisiana near the shuttered England Air Force Base was found to contain 10,900 ug/l of PFOS and PFOA. In 1983, investigations had shown soil and water contamination with degreasers and JP-4 jet fuel, and in 1990 . Chocolates and heart-shaped pastilles with cutesy phrases like QT Pie are sweet. PFAS, which is an umbrella term for a group of manmade chemicals that includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), are often referred to as forever chemicals. This is because PFAS hardly ever break down in the environment and can accumulate, remain and persist in the body particularly the bloodstream, liver and kidneys for decades. More than 700 military sites are suspected or known to have been contaminated with PFAS; the Environmental Working Group keeps an updated map of these sites here. Fort Dix, New Jersey Clean beauty in 2023 is one of the fastest growing categories in the personal care space, so you may want to give or hope to get clean fragrance this Valentines Day. So-called forever chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, can be found in fire-retardent materials and firefighting foam. Last year, the DoD examined 524 installations for two of the most prevalent PFAS chemicals in aqueous firefighting foam, perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, and perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and found 401 with some level of contamination. These forever chemicals pollute water, dont break down, and remain in the environment and people for decades. (Airman 1st Class Greg Erwin/U.S. In June, theSenate passedthe National Defense Authorization Act of 2020, which contains a number of critical PFAS monitoring and cleanup amendments. The DoD began widespread testing for contamination in drinking water at its facilities in 2016, followed by testing of groundwater on and near military installations. By submitting this form, I agree to the Terms, Disclaimer and Privacy Notice. They are used in a huge range of consumer products, including waterproof clothing, furniture, cookware, electronics, food packaging and firefighting foams and are employed in a wide array of industrial processes. ABSTRACT. These chemicals cause a variety of really, really dangerous health effects. It costs nothing to speak to one of the attorneys we work with, and youre never obligated to take legal action just because you talked to someone about your rights. In 2003-04, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the U.S. Air Force, conducted an investigation to determine the age of ground water in the shallow, contaminated part of the aquifer and in the deep production zone beneath the Base. The Marine Corps is eliminating the scout sniper program as part of the service's big Force Design 2030 overhaul. The DOD also reported that it sent letters using this template to 2,063 agricultural operations within a mile of 95 bases regarding the likelihood of poisoned groundwater heading their way. RAFB is on that PFAS contamination map and so WGXA News of Macon made an inquiry. 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