While PFAS remediation is possible, it is a challenge for the Environmental Protection Agency, which is currently making efforts to remove the harmful chemicals from the area. As a consequence of serious contamination, Scott Air Force Base is now a Superfund site. Multiple 2020 studies commissioned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found that on 7 locations of the military base, the concentration of PFAS exceeds the permissible limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, the health of people who spend time on Scott Air Force Base, even for a few months, is endangered.
What toxic agents are contaminating Scott Air Force Base?
While PFAS are the only toxic agents that are currently polluting the environment of Scott Air Force Base, this should not make you breathe a sigh of relief, as the degree of contamination is very serious. The source of PFAS is AFFF, a fire suppressant used by trainees and military firefighters to extinguish jet fuel and petroleum fires, which are very common on U.S. Air Force military bases. Surprisingly, AFFF was created by the U.S. Navy and the 3M company in 1966 and has since gained enormous popularity.
It is noteworthy that PFAS are "forever chemicals", which means that once they are released in the environment by the employment of AFFF, they reside there until organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency take the initiative to carry out cleanup operations. You can be exposed to PFAS via inhalation or ingestion, and the body cannot eliminate the chemicals either. For this reason, people with a high concentration of PFAS in their blood are significantly more susceptible to developing terrible diseases.
What diseases can PFAS exposure result in?
Undoubtedly, the most serious disease exposure to PFAS can lead to over the years in cancer, which may affect multiple organs and tissues in the body depending on where the highest concentration of these chemicals is. However, there are other serious health problems these hazardous agents can cause. The following is the complete list of diseases PFAS exposure can result in, as well as the diagnoses that deem you eligible to file a toxic exposure claim. Still, to become eligible, you must have spent 1 cumulative year or longer at the military base.
You should keep in mind that these health issues take several years to several decades to develop following your first exposure to PFAS, which is why it is advisable to undergo regular medical examinations and to inform your doctor about your history of toxic exposure so that they will know what signs to look for when evaluating your health. Last but not least, women who were pregnant while they were staying at Scott Air Force Base and subsequently gave birth to children with health problems can also seek compensation on behalf of their babies.
