Cheyenne Air National Guard Base has been identified as a site of significant PFAS contamination, raising major concerns for military personnel, civilian workers, and surrounding communities.
PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment and human body, were discovered at levels far exceeding safety limits.
Published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS chemicals were detected at the following levels in groundwater at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base in 2018:
- PFOS: 89,000 ppt
- PFOA: 8,500 ppt
- PFOS + PFOA (combined): 94,400 ppt
- PFHxS: 22,000 ppt
- PFBS: 3,000 ppt
- PFHpA: 2,900 ppt
- PFNA: 140 ppt
These concentrations are significantly above the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFOS and PFOA, which is set at 4 ppt, raising concerns about long-term health risks and environmental contamination.
Sources of PFAS Exposure at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base
The primary source of PFAS contamination at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base is the long-term use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam heavily relied upon for extinguishing high-intensity fuel fires during military training exercises and emergency responses.
AFFF contains various polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS chemicals), including PFOS and PFOA, which are known as forever chemicals due to their resistance to natural breakdown.
Repeated AFFF use at this air national guard base has led to confirmed PFAS contamination, allowing these toxic substances to seep into the soil, groundwater, and eventually the drinking water supply.
In addition to AFFF, PFAS exposure may result from runoff from contaminated military sites, disposal practices, fire suppression systems, and the use of PFAS-containing materials and firefighting equipment.
The Environmental Working Group and other federal and state agencies have documented elevated PFAS levels in drinking water and groundwater at multiple military installations, including Cheyenne Air National Guard Base and nearby Warren Air Force Base and Tinker Air Force Base.
Due to the chemical persistence of PFAS, the groundwater contamination continues to worsen, threatening drinking water supplies both on base and in surrounding communities.
This significant PFAS contamination represents a major public health concern, as it affects private wells, public water systems, and off-base water supplies.
Without effective cleanup efforts, these hazardous substances will continue to pollute the environment and jeopardize the health of military personnel, civilian workers, and nearby residents.
Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base
Those at highest risk of PFAS exposure at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base include military service members, air national guard personnel, contractors, and civilian workers stationed at or working near the base—particularly during years when AFFF was routinely used in firefighting drills and fuel fire training exercises.
Individuals who lived or worked at the base may have consumed PFAS contaminated water from on-base drinking water systems or were exposed through occupational activities involving PFAS-containing firefighting foams.
Additionally, families residing on or near the installation—especially children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable populations—may face increased health risks due to the migration of PFAS from contaminated groundwater into private drinking water wells and local water supplies.
Communities surrounding the base, including those near other potentially contaminated sites like Cannon Air Force Base, Sawyer Air Force Base, and Eaker Air Force Base, may also face similar exposure risks.
Because PFAS levels at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory limits, individuals exposed to PFAS chemicals may suffer serious health consequences, such as thyroid disease, testicular cancer, developmental delays, immune system dysfunction, and other long-term health issues.
The widespread contamination underscores the urgent need for accountability, cleanup, and protections for those affected.
