Significant levels of PFAS contamination have been identified at Morris Air National Guard Base (ANGB), which is co-located with Tucson International Airport.
- PFBS: 2,800 ppt
- PFHpA: 370 ppt
- PFHxS: 4,100 ppt
- PFNA: 5.0 ppt
- PFOA: 260 ppt
- PFOS: 4,700 ppt
- PFOS + PFOA (combined): 4,960 ppt
These concentrations significantly exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for both PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, indicating serious environmental and public health concerns related to past use of firefighting foams and other PFAS-containing materials.
This data raises urgent concerns about drinking water contamination, groundwater pollution, and long-term health consequences for those exposed.
Sources of PFAS Exposure at Morris ANGB
The primary source of PFAS exposure at Morris ANGB is the historic use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)—a PFAS-containing firefighting foam—during military training exercises and emergency response operations.
AFFF was widely used to extinguish high-intensity jet fuel fires, a common risk at air force bases and military installations.
Over time, these toxic substances leached into surrounding soil and groundwater, leading to contaminated drinking water on and off base.
Additional PFAS pollution may have stemmed from improper disposal of PFAS-based firefighting foam, spills during equipment maintenance, and runoff into local water systems.
The use of these polyfluoroalkyl substances has created long-lasting environmental contamination with potentially dangerous implications for public health.
Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at Morris ANGB
Those most at risk of PFAS exposure include military service members, civilian workers, and contractors who were stationed at or worked near Morris ANGB when PFAS-containing firefighting foam was in use.
Families living in military housing or neighborhoods near the base that rely on private drinking water wells or are connected to off base water supplies may also be affected by PFAS-contaminated water.
The health risks linked to prolonged exposure include thyroid disease, immune system dysfunction, developmental delays, and certain cancers such as testicular and kidney cancers.
The confirmed presence of PFAS contamination at Morris ANGB and its proximity to Tucson International Airport raise serious public health and environmental concerns for the broader community and emphasize the need for continued PFAS litigation and cleanup efforts.
