With the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, water contamination on military bases is at the forefront of many people’s minds, particularly those that have been affected by contamination. While the contamination at Camp Lejeune is one of the most well-known cases of water contamination, it’s far from the first. 

In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, over 700 military sites have known or suspected perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). More specifically, PFAS have been found to contaminate the water supply near at least 12 military bases. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals.” In addition to contamination with PFAS, areas in and near military bases have had water contaminated with other harmful substances as well. 

History of Water Contamination on Military Bases 

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s water was contaminated with harmful chemicals from 1953 to 1987. The contamination affected multiple water treatment plants on base, and it harmed both civilians and service members. The source of contamination included a dry cleaner off base, storage tank leaks, industrial spills, and waste disposal sites. 

In addition to Camp Lejeune, many military bases have been plagued by water contamination. For example, groundwater at Kirtland Air Force Base was contaminated with jet fuel. While this contamination posed less of a threat to humans than other instances of water contamination, it had the potential to be devastating. The contaminated water was near the drinking water supply. 

Like Camp Lejeune, another example of water contamination on military bases spans years. The water at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam was contaminated with perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid. The base was also cited for using a chemical called trichloro-s-triazinetrione to sanitize drinking water. This chemical is typically used as a chlorine for swimming pools. Groundwater was also found to be contaminated at Anderson Air Force Base. 

Another instance of groundwater contamination occurred at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas in 1988. After the contamination was detected, it took over 30 years for the problem to be investigated and cleanup to be completed. 

These examples are only a few of the instances of water contamination on or around military bases. In fact, military bases and government sites continue to be plagued by water contamination today. 

Recent Water Contamination On Military Bases

In 2022, the Department of Defense conducted testing that revealed PFAS in the water supply near military bases. The chemicals were found at levels high enough to pose a health threat to citizens on or near the following military areas: 

• Bremerton Naval Base in Washington
• Camp Grayling Army Airfield in Michigan
• Center for Information Dominance Corry Station in Florida 
• Fort William Henry Harrison Joint Forces Headquarters in Montana 
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord – Yakima Training Ground in Washington 
• Mechanicsburg Naval Inventory Control Point in Pennsylvania 
• Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia 
• Saufley Field Naval Air Station in Florida 
• Warminster Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania
• Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in Washington 
• Whiting Field Naval Air Station in Florida
• Willow Grove Naval Air Station in Pennsylvania 

The levels detected varied from 5.9 parts per trillion to 208 parts per trillion. The EPA encourages any level of PFAS above 70 ppt be addressed, although the limit is not enforceable. Five of the 12 areas listed above had levels above 70 ppt. 

Additionally, in 2021, water at the Navy’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam was contaminated with petroleum products. Residents noticed a foul odor in their water, and many of the residents suffered physical ailments due to the contamination. 

Why Are PFAS Dangerous? 

In many of the instances of water contamination, the water is contaminated with PFAS, a group of toxic chemicals. PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they typically take a very long time to break down and to leave the human body. Many humans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. 

We are exposed to PFAS in various ways in our everyday lives, including through air, water, products containing PFAS (such as food packaging and water repellent clothing), and food grown in soil contaminated with PFAS. Babies can even be born with PFAS exposure, and they can also be exposed via formula or breast milk. Our exposure builds up over time, and this can happen more quickly when you’re consuming PFAS daily through your water intake. 

According to the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to PFAS may lead to:

• Increased cholesterol levels
• Decreased vaccine response in children
• Changes in liver enzymes
• Increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women
• Small decreases in infant birth weight
• Increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer
• Deleterious effects on the immune system 

Unlike other chemicals that harm our bodies swiftly, PFAS don’t typically cause any negative issues immediately upon ingestion. Rather, they can build up and cause harm over time, which is why repeated exposure to PFAS may harm our bodies. This long-term exposure also makes it difficult to know how much you have been exposed to and how your exposure may affect you in the future. 

Military Base Water Contamination 

Water contamination on military bases in the United States is a problem for both civilians and service members. From obvious foul-smelling water to seemingly innocuous water that harms over time, many military areas have been sources of contaminated water.

"PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they typically take a very long time to break down and to leave the human body. Many humans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood."

Of course, the water contamination at Camp Lejeune is one of the most widespread and detrimental to human health. Because the contamination lasted for over 30 years and affected drinking water, a large number of people were negatively affected. The main chemicals that contaminated the water — trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) — led to many adverse health incomes, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease. 

Because of this and other contamination cases, the United States passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which is part of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. These laws allow those affected by water contamination on military bases to seek justice for their injuries. If you or a loved one are affected by water contamination on military bases, you are entitled to talk to a lawyer about fighting for compensation for your injuries.