Since 1994, Hanscom AFB has been on the EPA’s National Priorities List, indicating the seriousness of contamination and the requirement for federal oversight of cleanup efforts. During the early 1980s, the Air Force started implementing cleanup through its Installation Restoration Program, but the extensive nature of contamination has required ongoing remedial actions that continue today, with institutional controls permanently restricting land and water use.
What types of toxic contamination exist at Hanscom AFB?
Hanscom AFB has accumulated several sources of contamination over the course of decades of military operations. One of the biggest concerns is the contamination of PFAS from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used during firefighting training and emergency response. PFAS was discovered in effluent discharged into the Shawsheen River in 2022, causing the Air Force to suspend operation of the groundwater remediation system.
Environmental investigations have revealed widespread contamination, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), petroleum hydrocarbons, and chlorinated solvents throughout the installation. The Air Force has conducted extensive Site Investigations for PFAS, specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This led to the conclusion that PFAS contamination requires a comprehensive remediation investigation. In 2022, these investigations began and are still ongoing.
Remediation is required for former landfills, fire training areas, and petroleum release sites that have been classified as Superfund Operable Units. Contamination of groundwater has caused plumes to extend beyond base boundaries, requiring boundary interceptor wells to prevent migration into neighboring communities. In addition, the Air Force has added 1,4-dioxane to long-term monitoring programs to identify emerging contaminants.
What illnesses are associated with PFAS exposure at Hanscom Air Force Base?
There is a significant increase in the risk of developing serious health conditions associated with extended exposure to the toxic chemicals documented at Hanscom AFB. People who lived or worked on the installation during active contamination are more likely to develop diseases years or even decades after their initial exposure. PFAS, volatile organic compounds, and other hazardous substances pose a number of health concerns.
Veterans who served at Hanscom Air Force Base for 1 cumulative year or longer and developed any of the following conditions may qualify for compensation:
With the Superfund designation and ongoing remediation requirements, anyone who may have been exposed is strongly advised to seek a comprehensive medical evaluation. Regulations at Hanscom AFB demonstrate the continuing threat posed by residual contamination, which requires medical monitoring and legal consultation for those exposed.
