The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated Rosecrans Air National Guard Base a Superfund site due to the presence of hazardous chemicals within the base. The federal government has completed cleanup efforts at five out of seven contaminated areas on the base.
What hazardous substances are documented at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base?
Rosecrans Air National Guard Base/Rosecrans Memorial Airport has been included in the list of over 700 military sites with known PFAS contamination as a result of the extensive use of AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam). AFFF contains high amounts of PFAS chemicals. Due to their ability to resist heat, oil, and water, these artificial chemical compounds became the ideal components for manufacturing fire extinguishers that can suppress fires quickly, particularly Class B fires involving highly flammable liquids such as jet fuel.
At least seven types of PFAS compounds were found at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base/Rosecrans Memorial Airport. These are:
- PFBS
- PFHpA
- PFHxS
- PFNA
- PFOA
- PFOS
The EWG also listed Rosecrans Air National Guard Base/Rosecrans Memorial Airport among the top 100 sites badly hit by PFAS contamination. The maximum level of PFAS concentrations detected in the site has reached up to 39,000 ppt—over 30,000 times the safe level of 4 ppt set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water.
What health issues can exposure to PFAS on Rosecrans Air National Guard Base cause?
PFAS can cause damage not only to the environment but also to human health. Research shows that exposure to PFAS can lead to the following disorders and severe health conditions:
When military personnel, their family members, and even residents living within one mile of a base with known PFAS contamination, such as Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, develop diseases as a result of constant exposure, they may be eligible to receive compensation.
