Federal Government Must Act to Inform and Protect Military Families, Nearby Communities
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are long-lasting compounds known to accumulate in the human body and environment, including water supplies. Exposure to these chemicals is associated with a range of detrimental health effects including kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, and decreased immunological response.
Military installations and adjacent communities are especially at risk because the sites use PFAS-containing firefighting foam in their trainings and operations. These chemicals have seeped into the ground and waterways near military sites, and in turn contaminated groundwater and the drinking water that serves the bases and nearby homes.
In light of a new scientific assessment by the
"The
"This report reaffirms what concerned Granite Staters already know - urgent federal action is needed to address PFAS contamination at military bases and communities across the country," said Senator
The draft ATSDR report is the same one that political appointees within the
"Families like mine who lived on or near military bases deserve reliable information about the risks they face," said
The UCS analysis, which mapped 131 military sites across 37 states at which PFAS levels have been detected in drinking water and groundwater, found:
* Of the 32 sites with direct drinking water contamination, more than half had PFAS concentrations that were at least 10 times higher than the risk level established by the ATSDR.
* More than 90 percent of the military sites, 118, had PFAS concentrations at least 10 times higher than the threshold identified by the ATSDR report.
* Nearly two-thirds of the sites, 87, had PFAS concentrations at least 100 times higher than the risk level identified in the ATSDR report.
* The ten sites with the highest detected PFAS levels in groundwater include bases in
* The number of military sites with PFAS contamination is likely even higher since the Pentagon used the
"We need immediate action to reduce the risk to military families from PFAS contamination," Reed said. "The federal government must limit the future use of PFAS chemicals, set an enforceable standard for PFAS contamination in drinking water, mandate reporting of PFAS releases, and provide support to clean up contaminated sites. Servicemembers, their families and nearby communities deserve better."
Read this original document at: https://www.hassan.senate.gov/news/press-releases/analysis-of-water-contamination-at-military-sites-finds-health-risks-due-to-toxic-chemicals-worse-than-thought
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