Barstow Marine Base PFAS Lawsuit [2025 Update]

Dangerous Levels of PFAS Detected at Barstow Marine Base

Extensive PFAS contamination at Barstow Marine Base has sparked serious concerns about the long-term environmental and health risks facing military personnel, civilian workers, and surrounding communities.

These toxic substances, often referred to as forever chemicals, have been linked to drinking water contamination and groundwater pollution due to their persistence in the environment and resistance to breakdown.

Published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS chemicals were detected at the following levels in groundwater at Barstow Marine Base in 2018:

• PFOA: 35 ppt
• PFOS: 68 ppt
• PFOS + PFOA (combined): 103 ppt

These concentrations significantly exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, indicating serious environmental and public health concerns related to past use of firefighting foams and other PFAS-containing materials.

Sources of PFAS Exposure at Barstow Marine Base

The primary source of PFAS contamination at Barstow Marine Base stems from the extensive use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting suppressant heavily used during training exercises, emergency response, and depot operations.

This foam contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—toxic chemicals now linked to serious health consequences and persistent environmental pollution.

Over decades, repeated use of AFFF at the Marine Corps Logistics Base, including the Yermo Annex and industrial complex, led to groundwater contamination, affecting both on-base drinking water systems and private drinking water wells in surrounding communities.

Additional PFAS exposure sources may include spills, storage site leaks, and the disposal of hazardous substances associated with military depot maintenance activities.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing environmental investigations have confirmed elevated PFAS levels, placing the base on the PFAS contamination list and prompting federal scrutiny under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process.

Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at Barstow Marine Base

Individuals who lived, worked, or served at Barstow Marine Base may have been exposed to PFAS-contaminated water through drinking, cooking, or bathing.

This includes military service members, civilian workers, and contractors stationed at the base or operating within its storage and industrial facilities.

Personnel involved in firefighting, training exercises, or equipment maintenance were likely at higher risk due to direct contact with PFAS-containing products.

Residents in surrounding communities, especially those relying on private drinking water wells near the Yermo Annex or base headquarters, may also face an increased risk of PFAS exposure and potential health risks, including thyroid disease, developmental issues, and certain cancers.

Given the widespread nature of PFAS pollution at military installations, individuals with potential exposure at Barstow Marine Base are encouraged to pursue medical testing, monitor for adverse health effects, and consider legal action to seek financial compensation and ensure appropriate cleanup actions are taken to protect public health.

Do You Qualify for the Barstow Marine Base PFAS Lawsuit

If you lived, worked, or served at Barstow Marine Base, including its Yermo Annex or industrial complex, and were exposed to PFAS-contaminated water, you may qualify for a PFAS contamination lawsuit.

Individuals who used on-base drinking water, relied on private drinking water wells near the installation, or were involved in firefighting or military depot maintenance activities are among those potentially impacted by toxic PFAS exposure.

Eligibility may also extend to civilian workers, military service members, and residents of surrounding communities who have experienced health risks such as thyroid disease, cancer, or other adverse health effects tied to forever chemicals.

Gathering Evidence for a PFAS Lawsuit

To support your claim in the Barstow Marine Base PFAS lawsuit, gathering clear evidence is critical.

Key forms of evidence include medical records that demonstrate health consequences linked to PFAS exposure, such as thyroid disease, reproductive issues, or certain cancers.

Proof of residence, military service, or employment on or near the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow during years of confirmed PFAS contamination will also help validate your case.

Additional supporting evidence may involve PFAS blood testing, water testing results from private wells, or documentation from Environmental Protection Agency reports and PFAS investigations conducted at the base.

Experienced law firms—such as TorHoerman Law—can assist victims in compiling relevant information, navigating the legal process, and holding chemical manufacturers and responsible agencies accountable through PFAS water contamination cases.

TorHoerman Law: Investigating the Barstow Marine Base PFAS Lawsuit

TorHoerman Law is actively investigating the widespread PFAS contamination at Barstow Marine Base, including its Yermo Annex and main facility, to help military service members, civilian workers, and surrounding communities pursue justice for harmful PFAS exposure.

The base’s long history of using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)—a fire suppressant known to contain toxic PFAS chemicals—has led to confirmed PFAS contamination in drinking water, groundwater, and contaminated soil across the installation.

With a mission rooted in protecting public health and holding polluters accountable, our legal team is reviewing evidence of contaminated drinking water, military installation exposure, and health effects such as thyroid disease, cancer, and other serious health consequences linked to these forever chemicals.

If you or a loved one lived or worked at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow and were exposed to PFAS-contaminated water, TorHoerman Law is here to guide you through the legal process, investigate your potential claim, and advocate for accountability and recovery.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a PFAS contamination claim instantly.