In 2019, multiple businesses in Colorado Springs were taking legal action against the military for having contaminated the areas surrounding Fort Carson with PFAS stemming from the use of AFFF, a fire suppressant. They were calling PFAS "Agent Orange 2.0", as the health problems exposure to PFAS can result in are as terrible as those caused by exposure to the herbicide used during the Vietnam War. In July of 2021, the levels of PFAS in the areas nearby Fort Carson were 2,928 times higher than the permissible limit of 70 parts per trillion set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This greatly endangers the health of everyone stationed on the military base or living adjacent to it.
What toxic agents are present on the premises of Fort Carson?
Obviously, PFAS are the main contaminant of concern lurking on Fort Carson. Exposure to these chemicals occurs by inhalation and ingestion, and, naturally, military firefighters have the highest risk of falling ill as a consequence of exposure, as they are the people who are frequently in close contact with AFFF, the fire suppressant that contains a large amount of PFAS. With every use, AFFF releases PFAS in the environment, where they persist, since they are "forever chemicals". Only state organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency have the means to mitigate the contamination.
To worsen the degree of toxic exposure, the Environmental Working Group has found additional contaminants on Fort Carson, which are the following:
- bromodichloromethane
- chloroform
- dibromochloromethane
- dichloroacetic acid
- haloacetic acids
- radium
- trihalomethanes
- trichloroacetic acid
- uranium
If you were stationed at Fort Carson and experience bothersome or unusual symptoms, we urge you to seek medical attention, as you most likely developed a health problem as a result of PFAS exposure combined with exposure to the other toxic agents present on the military base. Even if you do not have symptoms, it is a good idea to keep a close eye on your health if you spent time there by regularly having your health assessed by a medical professional.
What health problems can PFAS exposure on military bases result in?
Many diseases and chronic health issues can stem from PFAS exposure, the most terrible being cancer, which can develop on many organs and tissues in the body, depending on where the highest concentration of these chemicals is located. The following is the list of diseases that you can develop following exposure to PFAS, as well as the diagnoses that deem you eligible to file a toxic exposure claim:
If you have one of these health issues, we strongly suggest contacting our law firm, as we specialize in toxic exposure, and we thereby have what it takes to obtain compensation for you from the liable AFFF companies. Finally, if you stayed at Fort Carson while you were carrying a baby and they were born with health problems, you should give our legal team a call as well, as you can recover compensation for your child.
