PFA’s & The Filthy Fifty

What are PFA’s?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals that have
been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. They are sometimes
called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment.

Where are PFAS found?

Because they’re so persistent and have been used so widely, PFAS are now found in many places,
including:
• Water: Drinking water can be contaminated by industrial discharges, firefighting foam
runoff, and leaching from landfills.
• Soil: PFAS can build up in soil through the use of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) as fertilizer, industrial waste disposal, and firefighting foam use.
• Air: PFAS can be released into the air from manufacturing facilities and the use of certain products.
• Food: Food can become contaminated through packaging materials, contaminated soil and water used for growing, and the processing of food.
• Consumer Products: PFAS are found in many everyday items, such as: Non-stick
cookware, Food packaging, Cleaning products and Firefighting foam.

PFA’s and Military Bases: PFAS contamination on military bases is a significant environmental andpublic health issue. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:

Primary Source of Contamination:

• Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF): The primary source of PFAS on military bases is AFFF, a firefighting foam used extensively since the 1970s to extinguish jet fuel and petroleum fires. AFFF was highly effective but contained PFAS chemicals that have now contaminated soil and groundwater.

Extent of the Problem:

• Widespread Contamination: Hundreds of military bases across the US are known or suspected to have PFAS contamination.
• The Department of Defense (DoD) has identified over 700 installations requiring PFAS assessment. https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/eer/ecc/pfas/data/cleanup-
pfas.html#:~:text=Through%20June%2030%2C%202024%2C%20DoD,locations%2C%20N
ational%20Guard%20facilities%2C%20and

“Filthy Fifty”: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has compiled a list of the “Filthy Fifty,” the military bases with the highest known levels of PFAS contamination.
• The “Filthy Fifty” Act was introduced to the Senate on June 8, 2021.
• This legislation, introduced in the U.S. Senate, aims to accelerate PFAS cleanup at these 50 military installations. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1973/text

“Filthy Fifty “Military Bases Interactive Map Below:
(1) England Air Force Base, Louisiana.
(2) Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California.
(3) Patrick Air Force Base, Florida.
(4) Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina.
(5) Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.
(6) Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.
(7) Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York.
(8) Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex, Texas.
(9) Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
(10) Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina.
(11) Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
(12) Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York.
(13) Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
(14) Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
(15) Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.
(16) Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois.
(17) Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, California.
(18) Travis Air Force Base, California.
(19) Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.
(20) Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
(21) Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.
(22) Eaker Air Force Base, Arkansas.
(23) Naval Air Station Alameda, California.
(24) Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.
(25) Horsham Air Guard Station, Pennsylvania.
(26) Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
(27) Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
(28) Edwards Air Force Base, California.
(29) Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.
(30) Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
(31) Galena Air Force Base, Alaska.
(32) Naval Research Laboratory Chesapeake Bay Detachment, Maryland.
(33) Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.
(34) Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee.
(35) Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
(36) Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.
(37) Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
(38) Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, New York.
(39) F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.
(40) Nevada Air National Guard Base – Reno, Nevada.
(41) K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan.
(42) Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.
(43) Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
(44) Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan.
(45) Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base, West Virginia.
(46) Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – Ault Field, Washington.
(47) Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Missouri.
(48) Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
(49) Iowa Air National Guard Base – Des Moines, Iowa.
(50) Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York.

PFA’s Exposure and Cancers:

While research is ongoing, studies have linked PFAS exposure to an increased risk of several types of cancer. Here are some of the cancers with the strongest evidence of a connection to PFAS:

Cancers with Strongest Evidence:
• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer

Cancers with Emerging Evidence:
• Liver cancer
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Ovarian and endometrial cancer

Service Connection of Chronic Conditions such as Cancer due to PFA’s Exposure:
• The VA does not recognize presumptive service connection for any chronic conditions caused by PFA’s exposure.
• Therefore, if you have been exposed to PFA’s during your military service and you currently suffer from a chronic condition that you think may be associated with your PFAs exposure, you will have to establish direct service connection.
• You need to prove the following elements for direct service connection:
o That you have a diagnosed chronic condition.
o That you were exposed to PFA’s (forever chemicals) during your service.
o You must have a medical nexus opinion stating your current chronic medical condition is at least as likely as not due to your in-service exposure to PFA’s.