Fort Detrick Water Contamination Lawsuit

Overview of the Fort Detrick Contamination Lawsuit

Key Takeaways 

• Studies have found chemicals such as PFAS, TCE, PCE, benzene and more in Fort Detrick’s water supply. Health officials continue to evaluate potential risks.
• Some studies suggest these toxic substances may be associated with various cancers and other illnesses. Research is ongoing.
• Contamination was mainly a threat to military families, veterans, and civilians who lived on or near the base at the time of the contamination.
• Some individuals affected by Fort Detrick’s water contamination may be eligible to pursue legal action for potential compensation. This depends on each individual’s situation.

Let’s examine the history of the situation at Fort Detrick to better understand the contamination and why some individuals have filed lawsuits.

Why Are Lawsuits Being Filed?

According to the EPA, Fort Detrick military personnel and their families might have been exposed to toxic drinking water. Health risks may have been present on base for individuals who ingested or came into contact with contaminants in soil or groundwater. Some of the chemicals that contaminated the base include:

• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
• Trichloroethene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethane (PCE)
• Benzene

The Kristen Renee Foundation has also asserted that residents in communities surrounding the base developed cancer due to Fort Detrick. The foundation also claimed independent testing showed evidence of the presence of dioxins on the base that according to studies might be associated with cancers.

Additionally, hazardous waste was buried in the ground on the base, and a treatment system for ultra-hazardous waste malfunctioned.

Due to alleged findings of contaminants that have been associated with various cancers, some individuals in the vicinity of Fort Detrick during the contamination have filed lawsuits.

Who Is Filing These Claims?

In 2010, CBS News reported that the National Cancer Institute showed Frederick County, Maryland, where Fort Detrick is located, had the highest cancer rate in the state.

In 2015, the Kristin Renee Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Army for what it claimed was reckless and negligent handling of toxic chemicals. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2016 because the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

People who lived or worked at or near Fort Detrick during the contamination and developed an illness associated with contaminants may be eligible to file a lawsuit. These can include military members, family members, civilian base employees, and nearby residents and workers.

Fort Detrick’s Role in the U.S. Military

Fort Detrick is an Army base located in Frederick, Maryland.

The base was built on the old site of the former Frederick Airport. Starting in 1931, it was used as a military airport known as Detrick Field. The Army transferred it to the base during World War II and renamed it Camp Detrick.

In 1943, Fort Detrick became the United States’ center for offensive and defensive biological warfare research. This practice continued until President Nixon declared offensive biological warfare research illegal in 1969. To this day, though, Fort Detrick continues to host defensive biological warfare research.

The Contamination of Area B

According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, “Area B” of Fort Detrick was used as a hazardous disposal site and biological testing ground.

The Army dumped materials in unlined trenches. Some of the materials included: 

• Waste from the decontamination system sludge
• Discarded lab chemicals and industrial solvents
• Containers of hazardous liquid waste
• Burned biological materials
• Chemically treated animal remains
• Herbicidal compounds
• Construction waste

Discovery of Contaminants Associated with Cancers 

Several substances associated with cancers have been detected at Fort Detrick. Here is a brief history of their discovery on base:

• Fort Detrick is one of more than 700 military facilities where PFAS may have seeped into the groundwater or soil. The source of the PFAS contamination is likely the previous use of Firefighting Foam or Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) at the facilities.
• Army records confirm that Fort Detrick conducted testing with 2,4,5‑T, a key component of Agent Orange. Though, there is no evidence the full Agent Orange mixture was deployed at the site. 
• In 1987, the Army discovered trichloroethylene (TCE) in a production well that supplied Building 568 at Fort Detrick with water used to conduct fish studies.
• Groundwater sampling in 1998 also confirmed the presence of TCE and tetrachloroethane (PCE).

Cleanup Efforts & Superfund Site Designation

• Between 1970 and now, more than 160 wells have been sampled in contamination investigations.
• From 2000 to 2004, the Army removed waste and contaminated soil from the B-11 Disposal Pits at Fort Detrick.
• Fort Detrick’s Area B Groundwater site was added to the EPA National Priorities List as a Superfund site on September 3, 2008.
• The EPA and the U.S. Army signed a Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) on December 17, 2010, to govern the investigation and cleanup of Fort Detrick’s Area B Groundwater Superfund site.
• In 2016, the Fort Detrick water treatment plant completed renovations. The renovations included a newly installed Ultraviolet (UV) system for water disinfection. The renovations cost $16.1 million and also upgraded the treatment facility from manual operation to a computer-networked controlled system.
• In 2021, the Army started operating a pump and treatment system.
• According to the EPA, cleanup efforts continue to this day.

Contaminants Found in Fort Detrick’s Water

Now, let’s review some of the specific contaminants found in the water at Fort Detrick.

PFAS and Firefighting Foam (AFFF)

As stated above, PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. Its presence in the water at Fort Detrick is likely due to the use of AFFF Firefighting Foam on base.

PFAS are man-made chemicals; they aren’t just used in AFFF, they are actually used in a variety of everyday products.

PFAS have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” due to their resilience in the environment and human body. They can take thousands of years to break down. 

PFAS have been associated with various cancers and other illnesses, but research is still ongoing.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recognized PFAS as a serious health risk for military members.

It’s worth noting that recent Army water testing concluded that finished drinking water at Fort Detrick does not currently contain PFAS above EPA advisory levels.

Recent Army water testing (August 2024) found PFOS/PFOA in finished drinking water at around 5 ppt. This is well below the older advisory limit (70 ppt), but just above the enforceable EPA MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS. Testing is ongoing, and results may vary by system and location.

TCE, PCE, and Benzene

Let’s check out some of the other primary contaminants found at Fort Detrick.

• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) – An industrial degreaser. Has been associated with cancers in some studies. According to ATSDR, based on PCE concentration levels at Fort Detrick, it’s unlikely this specific contaminant produced harmful health effects.
• Trichloroethylene (TCE) – An industrial degreasing solvent. Has been associated with cancers in some syudies. According to the EPA, eight 55-gallon drums of TCE were disposed of on base in 1968.
• Benzene – A component of aircraft fuel. Has been associated with leukemia in some studies.

Some other notes for additional context on the possible extent of the alleged contamination: 

• In 2022, groundwater samples were taken from monitoring wells on the adjacent Waverley View property. Some wells contained TCE and chloroform in quantities exceeding the safety limits.
• The limestone aquifer under Area B-11 exhibits karst conditions. This basically means that due to porous features, surface-level water can trickle down into the water reserves. According to the EPA, this increased the probability that disposed waste would be released into the groundwater.
• TCE was also discovered in a residential well on the adjacent Shookstown Road.

Additional Toxic Substances (DCBP, Chloroform, Nitrate, etc.)

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), testing from 2018 to 2023 showed Fort Detrick’s drinking water contained 15 contaminants. 8 of the contaminants found were above health guidelines.

Contaminants that exceeded EWG health guidelines:

• Bromochloromethane – 13.8 ppb (230x EWG limit)
• Bromodichloromethane – 14.2 ppb (236x EWG limit)
• Chloroform – 62.1 ppb (155x EWG limit)
• Dibromochloromethane – 2.26 ppb (23x EWG limit)
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5) – 23.6 ppb (236x EWG limit)
• Nitrate – 3.03 ppm (22x EWG limit)
• Nitrate & Nitrite (combined) – 1.32 ppm (9.4x EWG limit)
• Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) – 58.0 ppb (387x EWG limit)

Others detected, but below EWG health guidelines:

• Atrazine
• Barium
• Bromomethane
• Chloromethane
• Dalapon
• Fluoride
• Naphthalene

Legal Help for Victims of Fort Detrick Water Contamination

Note: Fill out the form or call to see if legal options may be available. Inquiries will be shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement to assist with next steps.

Now let’s review the process of filing a Fort Detrick lawsuit and getting legal help.

Process of Filing a Claim

Here’s a rough outline of the steps an impacted individual can take to file a lawsuit:

1. Contact a lawyer.
2. Collect the relevant documentation and evidence.
3. If you qualify, a lawyer may help prepare and file your claim.

Can a Fort Detrick Water Contamination Lawyer help with my claim?

Hiring a lawyer is your own decision. Some of the things a lawyer might help with are:

• Ensuring your documentation is adequate for filing a lawsuit
• Making sure you hit deadlines
• Understanding how to navigate a toxic exposure claim

Note: You are not required to hire a lawyer to file a claim, but legal guidance can help you understand your rights and options.

Free Consultation With a Lawyer About a Possible Fort Detrick Water Contamination Claim

Note: Fill out the form or call to see if legal options may be available. Inquiries will be shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement to assist with next steps.

Were you or a loved one diagnosed with a serious illness after living or working near Fort Detrick?

To learn more about your legal options, you can request a free case evaluation here.