According to the research conducted by the Environmental Working Group, MacDill Air Force Base has a PFAS concentration in the environment of 523,710 parts per trillion, whereas the safe limit is 70 parts per trillion. Therefore, the issue of contamination is acute, and the Environmental Protection Agency is striving to mitigate the problem by strategically cleaning up the military site. At the moment, MacDill Air Force Base is a Superfund site.
What toxic agents are lurking on MacDill Air Force Base?
Even though there are multiple toxic agents polluting MacDill Air Force Base, the most prevalent chemicals are PFAS. The tremendous amounts of PFAS that contaminate the environment of the military base come from firefighters and trainees using aqueous film-forming foam, commonly known as AFFF. This is a fire suppressant that is very effective in putting out jet fuel and petroleum fires, which occur frequently on U.S. Air Force bases. It is worthy of note that PFAS are also known as "forever chemicals", meaning that once they are released by the employment of AFFF, they do not break down and pollute the affected site.
The following are other hazardous contaminants that are currently present on MacDill Air Force Base, which only worsens the extent of toxic exposure for those stationed there:
- bromodichloromethane
- chloroform
- bromoform
- dibromoacetic acid
- monochloroacetic acid
- trichloroacetic acid
- dibromochloromethane
- haloacetic acids
- trihalomethanes
During a site survey carried out in 2016, there were 8 locations on MacDill Air Force Base where the level of PFAS was considerably higher than the permissible limit. It is essential to be aware that if you were stationed at this military base and subsequently developed a disease, it must have a causal relation to PFAS exposure if you intend to file a toxic exposure claim with our assistance.
What are the diseases associated with exposure to PFAS?
Undoubtedly, the most terrible disease you can come to struggle with as a consequence of exposure to PFAS is cancer, which can affect numerous organs and tissues in the body. However, there are other diagnoses that make you eligible for filing a toxic exposure claim if you spent time on MacDill Air Force Base. These are all the health problems that qualify you for compensation if you were exposed to PFAS:
It is noteworthy that diseases that occur as a result of PFAS exposure may take several years or even several decades to develop, which is why we advise everyone who was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base to keep a close eye on their health and undergo regular medical examinations. The sooner your disease is found, the more effective the treatment will be. Last but not least, if you were pregnant during your stay at this military base and your child was born with health issues, you are also entitled to compensation.
