In 2018, tests revealed that the PFAS levels in Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base groundwater were above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s lifetime health advisory. In the latest update, Kingsley Field was undergoing Remedial Investigation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.
What dangerous contaminants are present at Klamath Falls International Airport?
As part of the Superfund or CERCLA process, a Preliminary Assessment was conducted at the site in 2015, and a Site Inspection was conducted in 2017 with Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality. Investigations found that at least two types of PFAS were found in Klamath Falls Airport, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). These chemicals originated from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), an effective fire-fighting foam that the military began using in the 1970s. Unfortunately, despite their attractive qualities that attract commercial attention, PFAS chemicals are toxic and harmful pollutants. Their chemical bonds are too strong to break down, allowing them to persist in the environment or be ingested by our bodies. This is also the reason why PFAS chemicals can be detected in the bloodstream of Americans.
To address the issue of these contaminants, the 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field partnered with local experts and formed a working group to protect its community against the harmful effects of PFAS. Without intervention, military personnel in Kingsley Field face dangerous levels of PFAS exposure, increasing their risk of developing PFAS-related conditions.
Health conditions related to PFAS exposure at Klamath Falls International Airport
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can affect the body in various ways, potentially altering the immune system and disrupting thyroid or endocrine functions. Because of these harmful effects, these chemicals have also been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and liver cancer. If you were exposed to PFAS while working at Klamath Falls International Airport or while living at Kingsley Field, your exposure might be linked to any of the following conditions:
If you developed any of these conditions after PFAS exposure, ELG Law can assist you in pursuing your legal options.