Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base was permanently closed in 1994. However, at the beginning of this century, the Environmental Protection Agency found high levels of PFAS stemming from the employment of AFFF on the site, a contaminant that they are currently striving to remove from the area. The fire suppressant began gaining popularity in 1970, as it was very effective in extinguishing jet fuel and petroleum fires. Unfortunately, AFFF is still used today, since a viable non-toxic alternative has not yet been found.
Exposure to PFAS, which occurs by inhalation or ingestion, can lead to a wide range of serious diseases and health problems, which is why veterans and family members who lived on Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base are now entitled to financial compensation.
What toxic agents were present on Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base?
While PFAS, out of which PFOS and PFOA are the most studied chemicals, were the only contaminant on this military base, it was present in high concentrations, which greatly endangered the health of the military personnel stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. These are known as forever chemicals, meaning that once they are released into the environment, they persist, being very difficult to remove.
Nevertheless, the Environmental Protection Agency found a way to remove PFAS from the environment of military bases such as Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base. The cleanup process is currently ongoing since the complete removal of PFAS is quite challenging to accomplish.
What diseases can you develop following toxic exposure at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base?
Exposure to the PFAS released in the environment by the use of AFFF is associated with a wide range of serious diseases and health issues, the most common being cancer. There are numerous malignant diseases that can develop as a consequence of toxic exposure at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base.
The following are the diseases and health problems veterans and their family members can come to struggle with as a result of exposure to high levels of PFAS, as well as the diagnoses that make them eligible for seeking financial compensation:
It is important to know that if you suffer from any other cancer as a result of your stay at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, you still qualify for compensation, as there is a strong causal relationship between exposure to PFAS and malignant diseases.
Thereby, regardless of the location of cancer in your body, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our law firm, which specializes in toxic exposure cases. Our attorneys will help you file a personal injury claim, as well as a VA claim, to recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to for your injury.
