Warnings Issued Over Contamination Caused by US Military Bases
Source: msn/Newsweek
12h
Military bases are known contributors to environmental and drinking water contamination due to the high concentrations of PFAS chemicals present in firefighting foam frequently used in drills. But while the contamination caused by these sites is established, the Department of Defense (DOD) has recently delayed the cleanup of PFAS chemicals at more than one hundred military bases.
"The Department’s timeline for cleanup is dictated by the cleanup law (i.e., CERCLA) and its regulations, and reflects both an evolving understanding of PFAS conditions at our military installations and additional investigation based on drinking water standards that EPA finalized last year," Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Newsweek. Experts who spoke to Newsweek have said the delay is "very concerning," warning of the impact already happening to the health of those in neighboring communities.
Why It Matters
PFAS are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and have been widely found in U.S. drinking water systems. Favored for their long-lasting nature, these "forever chemicals" are used across various industries, appearing in consumer products, smartwatch wristbands, and even in the foam used to put out fires at military bases.
More and more research is showing that exposure to PFAS chemicals may be associated with a range of health issues, including increased cholesterol, changes to the immune system, liver damage, as well as increased risk of certain cancers, thyroid disease and asthma.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/warnings-issued-over-contamination-caused-by-us-military-bases/ar-AA1OKC20
Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren PRESS RELEASE - Markey, Warren Demand Answers on Delayed Clean Up of “Forever Chemical” Pollution from Military Bases
Link to Senators' LETTER (inquiry) (PDF) - https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/dod_pfas_letter.pdf
Link to NYT article - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/climate/military-defense-pfas-forever-chemicals-cleanup-delay.html