Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base toxic exposure cancer claims

Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base (ANGB) houses the 114th Fighter Wing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is located inside the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, which serves as a dual-use facility for both military and public use. At the Joe Foss Field ANGB, citizen airmen are trained in combat airpower and combat support for both state and federal missions. Unfortunately, Joe Foss Field is one of the hundreds of military bases contaminated with hazardous chemicals from the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). AFFF has been used in military bases and airports since the 1970s due to its effectiveness in extinguishing Class B fires that are caused by liquids such as oil, gas, and jet fuel. These chemicals are known to contaminate soil and groundwater where it is used. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at Joe Foss Field has put the health of military personnel and nearby residents at risk.

Claim Application

The danger of AFFF stems from its fluorine-based chemicals, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals form an effective film barrier that prevents fires from reigniting, as they are resistant to heat and most environmental conditions. This characteristic allows PFAS to persist in our surroundings for an extended period, and we continue to struggle with contamination issues years after AFFF was used. In 2018, the Environmental Working Group listed Joe Foss Field among the top 100 military installations with the highest levels of PFAS contamination.

Claim Application

PFAS chemicals detected at the Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the US Air Force conducted an assessment of military installations based on the 70 parts per trillion (ppt) limit for combined PFOS and PFOA levels. PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) are two of the many types of PFAS found in firefighting foam. Out of 204 preliminary assessments conducted, they found that 191 sites required a site inspection and a remedial investigation. By March 2023, the Remedial Investigation for Joe Foss Field was already underway.

Additionally, the previous 70 ppt limit used in CERCLA assessments has now been updated to a legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 ppt. This regulation was released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2024.

Claim Application

Health conditions related to PFAS exposure at the Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base

PFAS have been linked to various diseases, including different types of cancer. PFOA has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, while PFOS has been classified as a possible human carcinogen. These chemicals can seep into soil and drinking water, exposing service members and nearby civilians to their adverse effects, which include alterations to the immune system and the induction of oxidative stress. Long-term or high-level exposure to PFAS has been associated with the following conditions:

If you developed any of the conditions mentioned above, your disease might be connected to your PFAS exposure. Our lawyers can help you explore your legal options and determine the potential monetary compensation you may be eligible for.

Claim Application

Filing claims after being exposed to PFAS at Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Base

If you were exposed to PFAS at Joe Foss Field and later developed one of the conditions listed above, you may be eligible for a PFAS exposure claim. ELG Law assists military personnel and veterans in filing PFAS exposure claims. Our lawyers only need to review your military records and medical documents that show you have been diagnosed with one of the diseases listed above.

Family members of military veterans who lived at Joe Foss Field and civilian residents may also qualify for a PFAS exposure claim. If you have lived within one mile of Joe Foss Field, we can also assist you in filing your PFAS exposure claim. Our attorneys will need to review your proof of residence and medical documents to confirm your eligibility. You will not pay anything until we have recovered monetary compensation for you. To start the process, contact us using the link below.

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