‘Countless Additional [Communities] Face Imminent Danger’

A recent report released by the Department of Defense has unveiled a distressing revelation: approximately 245 military bases across the United States have been contaminating the drinking water of nearby communities with toxic chemicals. This poses a significant risk to an unknown number of individuals.

The report confirms that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” due to their inability to naturally degrade, have contaminated at least 455 military bases. Furthermore, out of the 295 bases that were investigated, 275 have released these chemicals close to drinking water sources. The Guardian reports that PFAS have been linked to various serious health issues including cancer, birth defects, decreased immunity, high cholesterol, and kidney disease.

The military’s extensive use of firefighting foam, which is filled with these harmful chemicals and is utilized during emergencies and training exercises, contributes to it being one of the largest polluters of PFAS globally.

The lack of transparency surrounding the issue is deeply concerning. Scott Faber, the vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, states that a responsible neighbor would inform affected communities about the contamination, whereas the military has only provided minimal information. Faber describes the lack of clarity as “shocking.” Considering that the report examined only a fraction of the suspected 700 military facilities contaminating groundwater, it is highly likely that numerous other cases exist.

The limited public oversight of the U.S. military raises further concerns about the course of action that will be taken. Communities impacted by this contamination and advocates like Faber are worried about the lack of transparency and accountability.

The Department of Defense report states its commitment to cleaning up PFAS releases promptly, but it fails to offer specifics or a timeframe. It also claims to be dedicated to mitigating PFAS in the drinking water supplied by the military and addressing the environmental releases resulting from its activities. The report emphasizes that the military aims to ensure that no one is exposed to drinking water with PFOS or PFOA levels exceeding 70 parts per trillion (ppt).

While this statement may provide some reassurance, it is unlikely to comfort communities residing near military bases. Faber remains hopeful that more answers will emerge as the process unfolds. “Inevitably we will get answers for these questions as we move through the process,” he expressed.

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