Keesler Air Force Base (AFB), located in Mississippi, is one of many military installations across the United States where dangerously high PFAS contamination has been confirmed.
These toxic forever chemicals—formally known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—were detected in groundwater samples collected in 2018, raising serious concerns for public health and the environmental safety of the region.
Published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS chemicals were detected at the following levels in Keesler AFB groundwater in 2018:
- PFOS + PFOA: 80,819 ppt
- PFOS: 80,400 ppt
- PFOA: 18,800 ppt
- PFHxA: 64,900 ppt
- PFHxS: 16,900 ppt
- PFBS: 6,920 ppt
- 6:2 FTS: 5,840 ppt
- PFHpA: 3,130 ppt
- 8:2 FTS: 3,300 ppt
- NEtFOSAA: 3,300 ppt
- NMeFOSAA: 3,300 ppt
- PFDA: 1,200 ppt
- PFDoA: 1,200 ppt
- PFUnA: 1,200 ppt
- PFNA: 670 ppt
These levels far exceed the EPA’s 2024 Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOS (4 ppt) and PFOA (4 ppt), signaling serious potential risks to human health and the environment.
Such high concentrations of toxic PFAS chemicals signal significant health risks for those exposed and environmental damage to the base and surrounding communities.
Sources of PFAS Exposure at Keesler AFB
The primary source of PFAS pollution at Keesler AFB is the historic and repeated use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)—a specialized firefighting foam used extensively at military bases for fuel fire suppression and emergency response training.
AFFF is known to contain high concentrations of PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS, which have been linked to toxic exposure and environmental damage at numerous military sites.
When AFFF is used during training exercises or emergencies, its chemical components can seep into the ground, contaminating the soil and groundwater.
Because PFAS are highly stable and resist natural degradation, they can remain in the environment for decades, eventually entering drinking water supplies and posing a persistent threat to human health and the ecosystem.
The lack of adequate containment and remediation practices in past decades has allowed PFAS-contaminated water to spread from the base into off-base water systems, private drinking water wells, and local waterways, compounding the public health risks for people living near Keesler AFB.
Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at Keesler AFB
A wide range of individuals may have experienced PFAS exposure due to their proximity to or time spent at Keesler AFB.
Those at the greatest risk include:
- Military personnel stationed at Keesler AFB who regularly used or were near areas where AFFF was deployed during training or emergency response scenarios.
- Civilian workers employed on base who may have come into contact with contaminated water or equipment exposed to PFAS chemicals.
- Military families and other residents who lived in base housing or used on-base drinking water for extended periods.
- Members of surrounding communities who relied on off-base water supplies or private drinking water wellslocated near the base’s boundary, where groundwater contamination may have spread.
Because PFAS bioaccumulate in the human body and are extremely resistant to breakdown, even low-level exposure over time can increase the risk of thyroid disease, cancer, immune system dysfunction, and other serious health issues.
As a result, individuals exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water at Keesler AFB should consider medical testing and explore legal options for compensation and long-term healthcare support.
