Recent testing has revealed alarming levels of PFAS contamination at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos (JFTB Los Alamitos), including the surrounding drinking water and groundwater.
PFAS chemicals, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been detected at concentrations that far exceed safe drinking water levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Multiple sources have published information about PFAS contamination at JFTB.
The Environmental Working Group published PFAS levels at the base measured in 2018, which are below.
However, a March 2024 presentation from the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) titled “Status of PFAS Regulatory Actions in California and the Santa Ana Region” stated that PFAS levels found at Los Alamitos JFTB were far higher than previously stated.
According to SAME, PFOA levels were measured at 166,000 ppt – more than 41,000 times higher than the EPA limit.
PFOS levels were 16,800 ppt – more than 4,000 times higher than the EPA limit.
Sampling conducted between 2017 and 2018 revealed a total PFAS concentration of 933.5 parts per trillion (ppt), significantly exceeding current EPA health advisory limits for several individual compounds.
According to the Environmental Working Group, PFAS Levels at JFTB Los Alamitos were measured in 2018 at:
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS): 282.0 ppt
- Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA): 151.0 ppt
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): 118.0 ppt
- Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS): 69.7 ppt
- Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA): 88.9 ppt
- Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTA): 61.7 ppt
PFOS and PFOA, both targeted by the EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), were detected at levels over 40 and 23 times higher than the EPA’s proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 ppt, respectively.
Sources of PFAS at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos
PFAS contamination at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos is primarily attributed to the use of firefighting foam, industrial cleaning agents, and other military-related activities.
These chemicals were used extensively in firefighting systems, particularly for training exercises involving aircraft and vehicles at the base.
In addition to firefighting foam, PFAS were present in various consumer products and industrial products used by the military, including food packaging, water-resistant fabrics, and certain types of equipment maintenance.
The widespread use of PFAS across these military operations has led to the current contamination of drinking water supplies and groundwater.
Impacted Populations at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos
PFAS found at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos poses significant health risks to multiple groups under the base’s operational control.
This includes Naval Reserve personnel, Active Duty service members, and California National Guard units who live or work on-site.
Many of these individuals have likely been exposed through contaminated drinking water or facility use prior to the public release of PFAS testing results.
Civilian employees and contractors who support daily operations may also face risks from repeated exposure during routine base activities.
Nearby residents—particularly those relying on groundwater or living adjacent to training zones—remain vulnerable, with limited access to information or protective measures.
Groups potentially affected by PFAS contamination:
- Active Duty military stationed at the base under operational control
- California National Guard units conducting training or support missions
- Naval Reserve personnel rotating through the installation
- Civilian employees and contractors working in contaminated areas
- Surrounding communities potentially impacted by PFAS found in local water sources
Current Status of PFAS Remediation at JFTB Los Alamitos
The Department of Defense (DoD) has completed preliminary assessments and site investigations (PA/SI) at JFTB Los Alamitos.
The base is undergoing a Remedial Investigation (RI) to further characterize the extent of PFAS contamination and assess potential risks to human health and the environment.
In February 2024, the DoD announced additional interim PFAS cleanup actions at over 30 installations and National Guard facilities, including JFTB Los Alamitos.
These interim actions are part of a broader effort to address PFAS contamination across military sites.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the pace and transparency of the cleanup process.
Local reports indicate that, while the Army asserts the contamination is under control, there is limited information available to the public regarding specific remediation measures implemented at the base.
The California State Water Resources Control Board has identified JFTB Los Alamitos as one of the military facilities with known or suspected PFAS releases.
The state is collaborating with federal agencies to monitor and address PFAS contamination, though the cleanup process is expected to be a multi-year endeavor.
JFTB Los Alamitos is One of Countless Military Installations Contaminated with PFAS
The contamination at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos is part of a nationwide pattern of PFAS pollution tied to Department of Defense activities dating back decades.
Across the United States, hundreds of military bases have reported dangerous levels of PFAS in soil and groundwater, primarily from the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) during firefighting drills and emergencies.
Despite growing scientific consensus on the health risks associated with PFAS exposure, the military has moved slowly in executing large-scale remediation.
Congressional reports and watchdog groups have repeatedly called out the Department of Defense for delayed transparency and failure to adequately protect service members and nearby communities.
JFTB Los Alamitos is not an outlier—it represents the systemic nature of PFAS contamination throughout the U.S. military’s infrastructure and its unresolved environmental legacy.
