"One of the things we want to do as part of this task force is establishing and improving transparency, the ability to put data out there so it's easily accessible," he 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. Sample results are summarized in table below. By submitting this form, I agree to the Terms, Disclaimer and Privacy Notice. 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. The substances grease and water repellent properties enable them to be very mobile, which means that once the chemicals have departed their original products they can slide their way out of old landfills for example, and migrate into the environment. The man-made chemicals, which can be used to make items heat or water resistant, are found in everyday household, food and clothing items, even take-out food wrappers. They have also been linked to low birthweight, birth defects, delayed development and newborn deaths in laboratory animals. Mitchell said the military has not allowed Japanese officials to enter the base and investigate the contamination themselves. Through FOIAs, EWG has discovered that many of the highest PFAS detections in the nation have been found on or near military installations. In South Carolina, groundwater contamination has been found at Shaw, as well as at the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, the Charleston joint military base and the the National Guard's McEntire air base southeast of Columbia, according to Department of Defense reports. Their payment will come as a percentage of your settlement or jury award. By, 'The stakes are high:' Local environmental advocate discusses Red Hill's toxic foam cleanup, China is building six times more new coal plants than other countries, report finds, 'Navalny' director says Russian opposition leader's spirit is unbroken, Climate change is fueling more conflict between humans and wildlife, Michigan State University is enhancing safety protocols weeks after a campus shooting, From the Warehouse to the world: Chicago and the birth of house music, Growth of lelo Hawaii stretches from kupuna to keiki, Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Holder dies in Arizona at age 101. Military Bases & Water Contamination: Whats the Link? For the past seven years, Mitchell has been investigating increased PFAS levels near Kadena Air Base, a key military hub in the Asia-Pacific. There was no factoring in of cleanup levels, no factoring in of technologies, it was just a general [estimate]. Originally from Guam, she spent more than 30 years at KITV, covering beats from government to education. 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. EWG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 52-2148600. However, the water system on the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base was contaminated with PFAS, a group of dangerous chemicals, as a result of military firefighters using aqueous film-forming foam, commonly known as AFFF. He insisted, however, that no military personnel or family members whose drinking water comes from Defense Department-managed water sources are consuming levels of PFAS higher than the lifetime health advisory limit. The military services no longer use PFAS-based firefighting foam in land-based training and, when it is used in emergencies, the site is treated as an environmental cleanup zone after, McMahon said. The base permanently closed inJune 1993, as part of a majorU.S.military realignment following the conclusion of the Cold War with theSoviet Union. The DoD data confirms for the first time the presence of PFAS contamination at the Montesano Armory east of Aberdeen, but at .8 ppt it is below the level EWG considers safe. Copyright 2023, Environmental Working Group. To date, the Air Force has sampled more than 500 drinking water wells for PFAS and installed 220 whole-house drinking water treatment systems on affected wells on and around the former base. Using Freedom of Information Act requests, he said he found records of multiple firefighting foam spills. Testing by the Department of Defense revealed dangerous levels of the contaminants, drawing concern from public health advocates. The harmful, hard-to-eliminate toxins. Since theAir Forcehas not acted, I have introduced the Care for Veterans Act to provide health benefits to veterans who were exposed to VOC chemicals at Wurtsmith. SECURITY - A multi-million dollar lawsuit has been filed against the federal government because of groundwater contamination from the use of firefighting foam at Peterson Air Force Base. In 1983, investigations had shown soil and water contamination with degreasers and JP-4 jet fuel, and in 1990 . Arvos wife, who lived on the base with him, has had breast cancer and thyroid problems. Read more: Former Camp Pendleton Battalion Commander to Face Domestic Violence Charges. Before commenting, please review our comment policy. But in a new report Tuesday, ATSDR considered exposures to the TCE and benzene in groundwater with more recent scientific knowledge on pathways into the human body not just from drinking water, but skin contact and inhalation during showers or bathing. 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. The focus area for sampling was approximately a three (3) miles radius surrounding the Base property boundary within which 13 community water systems were sampled. Its an issue not just in New Hampshire, but at military installations across this country, said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire. 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. ), Failed to adequately warn the public of the certain health risks associated with AFFF, Sold an unreasonably dangerous product when safer alternatives existed, Failed to provide reasonable instructions on the safe use, storage and disposal of AFFF, Repeatedly represented that the levels of PFAS being found in U.S. residents bodies presented no risk of harm or toxicity and were not medically significant, Had the resources and ability to fund and/or sponsor studies to confirm their representations that PFAS in the body present no health risk, yet failed to carry out such research, Knew the compounds in their AFFF products were carcinogenic and could enter the water supply, yet withheld this information from the public and government entities, Attacked, challenged and tried to discredit studies that alleged, suggested or even implied that adverse health effects were linked to their firefighting foams, Did not recall their products or instruct the public they should not be used upon phasing out production of the toxic firefighting foams and changing their formulas, File motions, briefs and other paperwork with the court. Ian Ross, PFAS practice lead at engineering company CDM Smith, said: It was known that PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment since at least 1950 but they have been widely used in highly dispersive applications such as in firefighting foams since 1962.. Hawaii Public Radio | It's 450,000 people. "We really hope by screening this documentary in Hawaii, that people here will be able to understand that they are not alone, that this contamination has occurred in Okinawa, and hopefully, people will be able to draw some similarities. PFAS foam gathers at the the Van Etten Creek dam in Oscoda township, Michigan, near Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Most PFAS are so well designed and robust that they wont break down in the environment for tens of thousands of years, earning them the moniker forever chemicals. Fifty years ago, there were only a handful of Hawaiian language speakers. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Bob McMahon told reporters during a media roundtable that he "expects to see growth [in the number of bases contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS] as we begin to get a better understanding and better characterization of where we are.". 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 plume affected the bases water well. ", in which the water source tested above the Environmental Protection Agencys acceptable levels, Here's the Pentagon report, list of all contaminated bases, attached toward the end of the congressional report, not just in New Hampshire, but at military installations across this country, Air Force won't pay for towns' water contamination costs, Minot firings due to failed nuclear safety inspection, MCPON: Sailors need speedier, easier access to counseling, Hangmans nooses targeting sailor found aboard Norfolk-based destroyer, Tricare now covers new costly insulin device for Type 1 diabetics, Baby on-board? At least 12 military bases contaminating water supply with toxic PFAS Testing by the Department of Defense revealed dangerous levels of the contaminants, drawing concern from public health. 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. "We are committed to ensuring that we have a safe place for our people and their families to live, work, play and pray," McMahon said. The Defense Department identified 401 active and Base Closure and Realignment installations in the United States with at least one area where there was a known or suspected release of perfluorinated compounds. McMahon said part of the task force's job will be to coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs to "understand what the relationship should be" regarding any health effects but stopped short of saying the DoD would seek to establish a service connection for any rating or military occupational specialty with frequent exposure. At military bases, however, they are concentrated in the foam used to put out aircraft fires. Little is known about most PFAS because, as The Environment Agencys former chief scientist put it, few PFAS have been subject to extensive testing so information about their hazardous properties is sparse. Ground-water contamination at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan January 1, 1994 View Plate View Document A sand and gravel aquifer of glacial origin underlies Wurtsmith Air Force Base in northeastern lower Michigan. Later groundwater testing revealed volatile organic and other hazardous compounds in eight contaminated plumes at the military base. 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. AFFF contains PFOS and can break down into other types of PFAS, including PFOA. At those locations it has installed filters at the water source or inside base housing, relocated water usage to another well, or provided alternate drinking water, such as water bottles, for personnel, Sullivan said. TCE levels were found at a high of 46,800 parts per billion at one on-base monitoring well in the late 1970s. 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. The detections occurred during tests conducted in 2017 and 2018. They have been detected in air, water, soils, sediments, and in rain at levels that would be considered unsafe in drinking water in some countries. It also is tasked with finding a PFAS-free firefighting foam or funding the development of one. At the direction of Defense Secretary Mark Esper in July, the Pentagon established a task force to study the chemicals -- found in aqueous firefighting foam used on military installations -- and the potential impact they have on personnel and the environment. Included was one that requires the Pentagon to phase out, by 2023, the use of PFAS-based firefighting foam and require military facilities to meet state cleanup standards. Congress must do more to accelerate the cleanup of legacy PFAS contamination. New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox. The water was contaminated by firefighting foam used at the former Pease Air Force Base. DuPonts Teflon changed our lives, but also polluted our bodies. Ongoing activities by EGLE to ensure the community around Wurtsmith is provided safe drinking water. Continued monitoring of residential wells by EGLE in areas that are known to be, or could be, affected by Wurtsmith contamination. 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. The reality, as you all know, is PFAS compounds are used in a myriad of things," he said. During a hearing earlier this year, DoD officials said the cost of the cleanup may be as high as $2 billion. Two Wars. Thats why most PFAS health scandals in the US and Europe have been related to contaminated drinking water supplies. But to fall foul of the worst effects of PFOS or PFOA, you would need to be exposed for a sustained period of time to pretty high concentrations of the substances. "This is an integral part of taking care of our people. For the other 12 drinking water sources, provided either by a contracted vendor or through the local utility, its a harder fix, because the EPAs guidelines are not enforceable. 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. 0:00. Some states have set limits ranging from 11 ppt to 20 ppt. 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. Maureen Sullivan, deputy assistant secretary of defense for environment, safety and occupational health, said DoD has already made safety changes at affected bases, including installing filters and providing bottled water to families living there. Washington, DC 20005. Wurtsmith Air Force Base is located in Iosco County, Michigan. Wurtsmith veterans, or their family members, who have questions about potential exposures to TCE and benzene in base drinking water in the 1970s can call District Health Department No. On Wednesday, environmental advocates from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) revealed that 90 more current and former Army and Army National Guard installations had levels of ground or drinking water contamination than previously indicated. The human-made chemicals are in your blood, your clothes, your cosmetics. You can only hope now that people know and are finding alternative sources of water because those are shockingly high levels of PFAS, he added. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Contaminates the Neuse River and the Goldsboro, North Carolina Region with PFAS By Pat Elder March 24, 2022 North Carolina environmental activists Bobby Jones, Lib Hutchby, and Emily Keel on the banks of the Neuse River in Goldsboro, North Carolina on February 17, 2022. Highest exceedances of PFAS in groundwater were PFHxS at 28,500 ppt, PFOA at 1870 ppt, and PFBS at 758 ppt. Surface water contamination includes strong evidence of deicing compounds in Cooley Brook, which discharges into . WASHINGTON Drinking water supplies at two Washington state Army installations are contaminated with extremely high levels of the toxic fluorinated chemicals called PFAS, according to Department of Defense data obtained by EWG under the Freedom of Information Act. "We've spent about $200 million a year for 10 years; that would be $2 billion. The tests will be carried out in contaminated groundwater on two Air Force bases and a Navy baseas part of a wider search for technologies that can break down the long-lasting molecules. So-called forever chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, can be found in fire-retardent materials and firefighting foam. In addition, the ground soil was noted to be contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons, dioxins, construction debris, medical wastes, pesticides . It's equally as important, I think, for us to recognize that we have a responsibility for the communities that surround our installations," McMahon said. Mitchell will be joined by Erwin Kawata from the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, among others. Public interest science has only just begun to wrap its head around PFOS and PFOA, decades after they were first produced, and so there is little chance it will ever catch up with manufacturers, who can tweak an existing molecule, rename it, and have it on the market in a fraction of the time it takes to establish a body of evidence to demonstrate whether or not it needs regulating. 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. Americans are exposed to dozens of PFAS every day. 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. Our lives, but at military Bases & water contamination: Whats the?. Deicing compounds in eight contaminated plumes at the military base has had breast cancer and thyroid problems at! 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