Officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, the military base occupies the area of the first civilian flying school founded by the Wright brothers. The host wing for Maxwell Air Force Base is the 42nd Air Base Wing and the military base is known throughout Montgomery and the River Region as the “Best Hometown in the Air Force.” Over 7,000 military, civilians, and contractors are currently stationed on Maxwell Air Force Base. During World War II, the Southeast Air Corps Army Air Force Training Center, which was headquartered at Maxwell Field, would conduct flight training for numerous flying cadets.
Nonetheless, the issue of PFAS contamination has become very serious over recent years, as, since the early 1960s, military firefighters and trainees would use AFFF to extinguish jet fuel and petroleum fires that would occur on the military base. While this is a very effective fire suppressant, when in use, it releases large amounts of PFAS, a group of very toxic chemicals, into the environment. Because PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals”, they persist in the environment, which makes the endeavors of organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency to remove them very difficult.
What toxic agents were present on Maxwell Air Force Base?
The training areas number one and number two at Maxwell Air Force Base were found to be heavily contaminated with PFAS in 2019. However, it is important to keep in mind that there may be other toxic agents lurking on this military base. Exposure to PFAS occurs via inhalation and ingestion. Although military firefighters are the most susceptible to developing a serious disease as a consequence of PFAS exposure, everyone was exposed to these dangerous chemicals while spending time on Maxwell Air Force Base, which means that anyone may come to struggle with a health problem. The presence of PFAS was discovered on the following active sites of the Maxwell Air Force Base and Gunter Annex:
- landfill no. 2 (LF002)
- landfill no. 3
- fire training area no. 2 (LF003/FT002)
- building 1092 (SS002)
- building 913 (SS003)
- base boundary (SS004)
- building 1048 (SS006)
- building 1037 (SS007)
- junkyard (SS008)
- old commercial gas station (SS009)
- former JP-4 pipeline spill (SS010)
- old small arms range (SR300)
- golf course small arms range (SR302)
- old skeet range (TS301)
It is worthy of note that diseases that occur as a consequence of PFAS exposure can take several years to several decades to develop, as, once inside the body, these chemicals gradually cause damage to the organs or tissues they reach. Veterans who were stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base should keep a close eye on their health and seek medical attention as soon as they experience unusual symptoms. In the regrettable case that you receive a diagnosis related to PFAS exposure, we strongly encourage you to contact our law firm, as we specialize in toxic exposure cases and will be able to help you recover compensation for your disease.
What diseases can veterans develop as a consequence of PFAS exposure?
Exposure to PFAS has been found to have a strong causal relation with multiple types of cancer. Nevertheless, it can also result in other diseases, which may also take a heavy toll on your health. As a general rule, the longer you were exposed to PFAS, the more chances you have of coming to struggle with a serious disease. It is important to know that there are only certain diseases for which you can file a toxic exposure claim to recover compensation, as there must be a definitive connection between your diagnosis and PFAS exposure.
If you developed any of the following diseases while you were stationed on this military base for 1 cumulative year or longer please contact us:
The family members of veterans who were stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base with them and developed one of these diseases are also eligible for compensation and can thereby file a toxic exposure claim as well. Lastly, if you were pregnant during your stay at this military base and gave birth to a child with health problems, you are entitled to filing a toxic exposure claim to recover compensation on their behalf as well. Regardless of the circumstances of your exposure to PFAS on Maxwell Air Force Base, our resourceful legal team will thoroughly assess your case and subsequently help you obtain the money you deserve for your suffering from the liable AFFF companies.
