The formula of AFFF was invented by the U.S. Navy and the 3M company in 1966. Ever since, military firefighters have been using the fire suppressant for jet fuel and petroleum fires. Still, because AFFF contains between 50% and 98% PFAS, it is highly toxic. At North Penn BRAC, the current level of these harmful chemicals is 33,000 ppt, which exceeds the safe exposure limit by over 470 times. Veterans who spent time at the military facility should keep a close eye on their health and inform their doctor about their toxic exposure history.
What toxic agents are lurking on North Penn BRAC?
At the moment, PFAS are the only contaminants of concern present on North Penn BRAC. The military installation was deemed a Superfund site due to the severity of contamination, and since 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency has been performing cleanup activities there to remove toxic agents. However, as part of manufacturing operations, North Penn BRAC used trichloroethylene and other dangerous solvents to degrease components and equipment. Therefore, in the past, multiple contaminants lurked in the environment of the facility.
Between 1952 and 1991, several different owners manufactured electric motors at the 25-acre former Transicoil facility. The facility stored waste oil and solvents in underground tanks. Furthermore, the former Nike control facility property, used by the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1968, also used and disposed of trichloroethylene. An underground waste solvent tank believed to be a potential source of contamination was removed by a former owner/operator of the site. The Environmental Protection Agency conducts five-year reviews of the site’s remedy.
What diseases can toxic exposure at North Penn BRAC cause?
Although toxic exposure is responsible for countless health problems, ranging from mild to severe, veterans who intend to file a claim should know that only certain diagnoses make them eligible. This is because there must be a strong connection between toxic exposure and their diagnosis, which can also be supported by medical evidence. Even so, veterans with a qualifying disease might still not be entitled to compensation, as there are other criteria they have to meet. These are the diagnoses for which veterans can file a claim if they were stationed at the military base for at least 1 cumulative year:
If you are a veteran or a family member of one who lived at North Penn BRAC and have one of the above diseases, you should give our law firm a call, as you are likely to be eligible to file a military base toxic exposure claim. With over 30 years of experience, our attorneys are ready to offer you the assistance you need in determining whether you are entitled to compensation. The legal process is simple, as we know that struggling with such terrible illnesses is overwhelming.
