Military Base Water Contamination Lawsuit

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

They are a group of man-made chemicals. PFAS are known for some of the following use cases:

• Military application
• Industrial and manufacturing applications
• Consumer goods (Specifically for resistant qualities: Heat, cold, oil, soil, stain resistance, etc.)

There are over 15,000 different types of PFAS. Some of the most common ones are:

• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
• PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate)
• PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)

You can view the PFAS family tree here.

The “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS have gained the nickname “forever chemicals.” They got this nickname because they don’t break down easily in nature or the human body.

In fact, PFAS chemicals can persist in the environment for thousands of years.

PFAS are known to bioaccumulate in the body and can be toxic even at low levels of exposure.

Now, let’s review how so many military bases became contaminated with PFAS chemicals.

The Role of AFFF Firefighting Foam

Firefighting foam, also known as AFFF, stands for Aqueous Film-Forming Foam.

AFFF is highly effective at extinguishing flammable liquid fires. It was used extensively on bases to put out fires, especially on bases where numerous training exercises took place. Especially in jet fuel fires and crash simulations.

AFFF also contains PFAS as a primary ingredient.

Timeline of Military AFFF Use

• The Navy started using AFFF in the 1960s.
• The use was expanded in 1967 when 134 service members died from a fire on an aircraft carrier.
• The Department of Defense (DoD) started using AFFF at military bases in the 1970s.
• The deadline to phase out AFFF was set to October 1, 2024, per the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
• The Secretary of Defense informed Congress that the military would be unable to stop using AFFF by the deadline. He then extended the deadline to October 1, 2025.

Other Military Uses of PFAS

While AFFF is regarded as the primary suspected cause of PFAS contamination on military bases, it’s not the only source. Some of the other suspected sources are:

• Maintenance Practices – Degreasers used to remove oil and tar from equipment may have contributed to contamination.
• Laundry Facilities – Everyday products used in on-base laundry facilities may have contained PFAS.
• Faulty Wastewater Management Systems – Outdated or inadequate waste management systems may have failed to filter out PFAS. Previously, many military water treatment systems were not designed to remove PFAS.

How PFAS Chemicals Entered Drinking Water Supplies

At many military bases, AFFF was sprayed onto soil or pavement and then seeped into groundwater.

Many groundwater pathways lead to local water wells and community drinking systems. Some bases were also built on top of porous sediment types, which allowed for even more AFFF to seep into aquifers.

Health Risks Linked to Military PFAS Exposure

Now let’s review some of the health risks related to PFAS-contaminated water at military bases.

Qualifying Health Conditions for Military Base PFAS Lawsuit

Winder Law Firm is gathering information from individuals with potential legal claims who have been diagnosed with certain health conditions. Inquiries are shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement. These conditions have been linked to PFAS exposure in scientific studies:

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Testicular Cancer
• Thyroid Disease
• Thyroid Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Request a free legal consultation.

Cancers Linked to PFAS

Various cancers have been linked to PFAS exposure. Here’s a deeper dive on some of the specific cancers and some research linking them to PFAS exposure.

Kidney Cancer

Some studies, including a 2020 JNCI publication, have found an association between high PFOA blood levels and an increased risk of kidney cancer. These findings continue to be evaluated in scientific and legal contexts. The kidneys filter PFAS in the body, making them a high-exposure organ.

There are other studies linking PFAS exposure to kidney cancer. Read about kidney cancer pfas lawsuits here.

Testicular Cancer

Some studies have found associations between PFAS exposure and testicular cancer. These findings are under continued scientific and legal evaluation. A 2023 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that high blood levels of PFOS were associated with increased risk of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT).

Liver Cancer

PFAS has been linked to liver cancer. A 2022 study in JHEP Reports that individuals with high PFOS levels had a significantly increased risk of developing non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver plays an important role in metabolizing toxins.

Pancreatic Cancer

PFAS exposure has been linked to the promotion of pancreatic cancer. A 2022 study published in Carcinogenesis found that exposure to PFOA can promote pancreatic cancer. In a mouse model already predisposed to the disease, PFOA increased the growth of precancerous pancreatic lesions. It also led to higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to cancer progression.

Thyroid Cancer

PFAS exposure has been linked to thyroid cancer. A 2023 study published in EBioMedicine found that people with higher blood levels of PFOS were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Other Cancers

PFAS exposure has been linked to higher risks of bladder, colon, prostate and esophageal cancer. A 2022 study in Environmental Health Insights found Merrimack, NH, residents, exposed to PFAS through drinking water, had significantly higher rates of several of these cancers compared to similar towns without PFAS exposure.

Other Diseases Linked to PFAS

In addition to cancer, PFAS exposure has been associated with many of health conditions. Research continues to evaluate how these chemicals affect the body’s systems. Some of these conditions include:

• Elevated cholesterol
• Increased uric acid levels
• Abnormal liver enzymes
• Liver damage and fatty liver disease
• Suppressed immune system
• Weakened response to vaccines
• Greater risk of infections in children
• Thyroid dysfunction (e.g., hypothyroidism)
• Hormonal imbalance
• Reduced fertility
• High blood pressure during pregnancy
• Developmental issues (e.g., low birth weight, early puberty, skeletal changes, behavior problems)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Weight gain and metabolic disturbances
• Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance
• Neurological and behavioral disorders
• Memory problems and cognitive decline
• Neurodegenerative diseases

Long-Term Effects of PFAS Exposure

PFAS remains in the body for years and can cause delayed onset illnesses.

List of Military Bases With PFAS Water Contamination

Now, let’s review which bases are contaminated and how to determine the status of specific bases.

Confirmed and Suspected Contaminated Sites Nationwide

If you’re wondering, is my base one with confirmed or suspected PFAS contamination? Then you can check this map from the Enviornmental Working Group (EWG). It shows over 700 bases that have confirmed or suspected PFAS contamination.

View the map here.

Individual Bases

There are hundreds of military bases with confirmed PFAS contamination. On our website, we have a deeper dive into a few of them. Here are the links to learn more:

• Fort Ord
• Camp Pendleton
• Cherry Point
• Fort Bragg
• Fort Dix
• Fort Jackson
• Fort Detrick
• Fort Benning
• Wurtsmith Air Force Base
• George Air Force Base

Some other high-profile bases that might be contaminated include:

• Pease Air Force Base, NH
• Fort Hood, TX
• Fort Campbell, KY
• Fort Bliss, TX
• Fort Drum, NY
• Chanute Air Force Base, IL
• Fort Wainwright, AK
• Fort Knox, KY
• Fort Lewis, WA
• Fort Lee, VA
• Fort Riley, KS
• Fairchild Air Force Base, WA
• Dover Air Force Base, DE
• Pearl Harbor-Hickam AFB, HI
• Fort Carson, CO
• Lackland Air Force Base, TX
• Eglin Air Force Base, FL
• Fort Meade, MD
• Cannon AFB, NM
• Camp Grayling, MI
• Shaw Air Force Base, SC
• Pope Air Force Base, NC
• Fort Gordon, GA
• United States Naval Academy, MD
• Marine Corp Air Station El Toro, CA
• Hill Air Force Base, UT
• Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC
• Patrick Air Force Base, FL
• Eielson Air Force Base, AK
• Kirtland Air Force Base, NM
• Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD
• McClellan Air Force Base, CA
• Holloman Air Force Base, NM
• Griffiss Air Force Base, NY
• Peterson Air Force Base, CO
• Stewart Air National Guard Base, NY
• Camp Mabry, TX
• Otis Air Force Base, MA
• Travis Air Force Base, CA
• Warminster Naval Base, PA

Who Qualifies to File a Military Water Contamination Lawsuit?

Let’s review who individuals are that may qualify for a Military Base PFAS lawsuit. Then let’s go over the kind of evidence that can help with a claim.

Criteria for Filing

The following individuals may qualify for a military base PFAS water contamination lawsuit:

• Military service members
• Family members of service members
• Civilian workers on the base
• Residents and workers in surrounding communities

Then these two conditions must be met:

1. Individuals who file lawsuits need to show they were present on or near the military base in question during the period of contamination. For reference, the military extensively used AFFF foam from the 1970s and were required to phase it out by 2024 (this deadline was extended).
2. Individuals filing claims should have a qualifying health condition. (Jump to the list)

Proof You’ll Need to Strengthen Your Claim

• Documentation showing you spent time on or near the base in question while it was contaminated.
• Medical documents evidencing the diagnosis of a condition linked to exposure to PFAS. (Jump to list)
• Other evidence to consider: Exposure notices, water testing results, and testimony from qualified professionals.