In June of 2021, Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters of Michigan made public that new legislations were to be enforced with regard to the cleanup of PFAS at military installations with high concentrations of these chemicals in the environment. The list was compiled by Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the legislation involved a $10 million investment to shield military communities from toxic exposure. Clinton River and Lake St. Clair are regularly polluted with PFAS stemming from the military base.
What toxic agents are contaminating the premises of Selfridge Air National Guard Base?
The military base is currently a Superfund site, and the Environmental Protection Agency has been carrying out cleanup activities on the site for several years. According to the Environmental Working Group, there is a concentration of 17,000 parts per trillion of PFOS in the environment of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which greatly exceeds the permissible limit of 40 parts per trillion set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This poses a great health threat to all the military members and civilians stationed there, as prolonged exposure to any chemicals from the PFAS category is associated with the development of terrible diseases.
It seems that PFAS are the only toxic agent lurking on Selfridge Air National Guard Base, but their presence is enough to endanger the health of the people who are now spending time there. The source of PFAS is AFFF, a fire suppressant that has been used by military firefighters and trainees since 1966 to put out petroleum and jet fuel fires. AFFF contains a large amount of PFAS, and every time it is employed, it releases these chemicals into the environment, where they remain forever. The only way of removing PFAS is through the special cleanup techniques used by organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
What diseases can you develop following PFAS exposure on military bases?
Cancer is without a doubt the most distressing health problem that can stem from PFAS exposure, and it can develop on various organs and tissues in the body, depending on where the highest concentration of these chemicals is located. Nevertheless, there are other serious health issues exposure to PFAS can result in. This is the full list of diagnoses associated with PFAS exposure, which occurs via inhalation and ingestion:
If you had the misfortune of falling ill, we advise you to give our legal team a call as soon as possible, as you are most likely eligible for compensation from the liable AFFF manufacturers. We specialize in toxic exposure, which means that we have all the necessary experience and resources to help you receive the money you deserve for your unjust suffering. Lastly, if you were pregnant during your stay at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and your child was born with health issues, you are encouraged to call us as well, as you can obtain compensation for your child.
