Since 1967, military firefighters have been using AFFF to put out jet fuel and petroleum fires. Still, this fire suppressant is very dangerous, as it contains between 50% to 98% PFAS. These substances are also known as "forever chemicals," as they persist in the environment for a very long time and are challenging to remove even with the most innovative technologies. At Fairchild Air Force Base, the current PFAS level exceeds the current safe exposure limit by almost 2,340 times. Exposure to such a tremendous amount of "forever chemicals" can easily result in serious, life-threatening diseases in veterans and family members who lived there.
What toxic agents are lurking on Fairchild AFB?
While PFAS are the main contaminants of concern at Fairchild AFB, there might be other toxic agents lurking on the military base. The presence of multiple hazardous substances only worsens the degree of toxic exposure among service members. These are other harmful agents that might contaminate the military facility:
- arsenic
- bromodichloromethane
- radium
- chloroform
- bromoform
- manganese
- barium
- trihalomethanes
Fairchild Air Force Base is a Superfund site, which means the Environmental Protection Agency is currently performing cleanup activities at the military base. Some of the cleanup activities that have been completed included the installation of a landfill cap, excavation, and landfarming to address some soil contamination, land use controls, soil vapor extraction, and in situ chemical oxidation.
What diseases can toxic exposure at Fairchild AFB cause?
Veterans and family members who intend to file a military base toxic exposure claim should know that only some diagnoses might deem them eligible. This is because their disease must have a strong connection with toxic exposure, which can also be supported by medical literature. Even with a qualifying diagnosis, they might still not be entitled to compensation, as there are other eligibility criteria they must meet. The following are the diseases for which veterans and family members who lived at Fairchild Air Force Base for at least one cumulative year can file a claim:
Our attorneys have been dedicating their endeavors to pursuing financial compensation for toxic exposure victims since 1990. They have the necessary experience, resources, and knowledge to help you find out whether you are eligible to file a claim. The legal process is simple and will take place over the phone. We request minimal involvement on behalf of toxic exposure victims, as we understand that struggling with a serious disease can often be physically and emotionally draining.
