PFOA/PFOS are starting to emerge as a potential contaminant for military bases. Many military bases have used firefighting foams that include these chemicals, adding yet another potential health hazard to the toxic groundwater contamination cocktail on bases across the country.
According to the latest EPA report:
PFOA and PFOS are fluorinated organic chemicals that are part of a larger group of chemicals referred to as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. They are also used for firefighting at air-fields and in a number of industrial processes. To provide Americans, including the most sensitive populations, with a margin of protection from a lifetime of exposure to PFOA and PFOS from drinking water, EPA established the health advisory levels at 70 parts per trillion. When both PFOA and PFOS are found in drinking water, the combined concentrations of PFOA and PFOS should be compared with the 70 parts per trillion health advisory level. This health advisory
level offers a margin of protection for all Americans throughout their life from adverse health effects resulting from exposure to PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.
We recently profiled PFOA and firefighting foams on military installations, such as Willow Grove. You can find that story here: http://www.civilianexposure.org/pfoa-firefighter-foam-toxin-military/
Update May 2017: Funding deal requires Pentagon to report water contamination at bases
Here’s the complete new EPA update on PFOA/PFOS (released in late May 2016) with further resource links:
Civilian Exposure Documents – EPA Advisory-PFOA-PFOS_5.31.16
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