710 Military Sites With Known or Suspected Discharges of PFAS
At least 710 military sites in the United States are known or likely to have discharged toxic PFAS, mostly from the use of PFAS-based firefighting foam, according to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
This EWG map [1] shows sites in all 50 states where military regulations required the use of PFAS-based aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, during training exercises for more than 50 years. At 397 of these sites, water sampling and laboratory tests have confirmed PFAS in drinking water or groundwater on or near the bases. This means that additional tests could identify PFAS contamination at some or all of the other 313 sites.
Does the Military Still Use PFAS?
The U.S. military has started to phase out AFFF firefighting foam, but accumulated PFAS chemicals are difficult to remove. The cost of cleanup has reached billions of dollars.
Acknowledging the extent of contamination and beginning remediation efforts have been slow, and advocates say the military should be doing more to address the problem and care for the families who have been affected by PFAS.
Related Article: PFAS Exposure Lawsuit Update
What Other Contaminants are Present on Military Sites?
Many toxic substances such as chlorinated solvents, industrial chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and metals are present in the soil at military bases and installations at levels that exceed the EPA's guidelines.
The natural and man-made substances that are found on military sites are designated as those that cause serious or incapacitating illnesses in exposed individuals or pose a threat to the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of.
Illnesses Linked to Toxic Exposure on Military Bases
- Lung cancer
- Soft tissue cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Liver cancer
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s Disease
- Pancreatic cancer
- Testicular cancer
- And more
Which States are the Most Affected by PFAS Contamination?
With PFAS contamination so widespread — affecting hundreds of locations across the U.S. — it can be hard to determine exactly which states are experiencing what. To date, Michigan (where the biggest manufacturer of PFOS/PFOA-laden products is headquartered), the Ohio River Valley, and California are the states hit the hardest.
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The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new legal challenges in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one was injured by PFAS contamination, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
