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Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit [2025 Update]

Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Contamination: Overview

The Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit investigation concerns forever chemicals in drinking water and groundwater in and around the Maryland military base.

TorHoerman Law is currently investigating a potential Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit.

On this page, we’ll discuss the Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit investigation, the levels of PFAS chemicals in groundwater at Naval Surface Warfare Center, the dangers of PFAS chemicals in drinking water and groundwater, health risks linked to PFAS exposure, and much more.

Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit

PFAS Chemicals Detected at High Levels in Naval Surface Warfare Center Groundwater

The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Annapolis Division, located in Annapolis, Maryland, is a vital research and development facility supporting the United States Navy’s undersea warfare, shipboard systems, and engineering capabilities.

Originally established in 1911 as the Naval Engineering Experiment Station, the center has evolved into a key hub for testing and advancing marine propulsion, materials science, and acoustic technologies.

NSWC Annapolis plays a critical role in ensuring fleet readiness through its expertise in hull, mechanical, and electrical systems, supporting both surface ships and submarines.

Like many long-standing naval facilities, the site has seen decades of industrial activity and operations involving hazardous substances, including the historical use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) for fire suppression.

AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have since been detected in the base’s groundwater and surrounding areas.

This contamination has prompted environmental assessments and concern over potential risks to service members, civilians, and nearby communities.

As PFAS contamination has become a nationwide issue at military installations, NSWC Annapolis is now among the sites undergoing scrutiny and potential remediation for legacy pollution.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PFAS contaminated water at NWSC Annapolis and developed cancer or other serious health problems, you may be eligible to file a claim.

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.

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Dangerous PFAS Levels Detected at NWSC Annapolis

PFAS contamination at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Annapolis Division has emerged as a serious environmental and public health concern.

These toxic “forever chemicals” were found at extremely elevated levels in the base’s groundwater, raising red flags about long-term exposure risks for both on-base personnel and surrounding communities.

Published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS chemicals were detected at the following levels in Naval Surface Warfare Center Annapolis Division groundwater in 2018:

  • PFOS + PFOA: 70,000 ppt

This level is 17,500 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 ppt for PFAS in drinking water.

Such high levels of PFAS contamination in water supplies may significantly increase the risk of serious health consequences, especially for individuals who lived or worked on the base or relied on nearby groundwater for drinking and household use.

The findings underscore the urgent need for accountability, environmental remediation, and public health monitoring.

Source of PFAS Exposure at NWSC Annapolis

The primary source of PFAS contamination at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Annapolis Division is the long-term use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)—a firefighting agent historically used across military installations for suppressing fuel-based fires, including those involving jet fuel.

AFFF contains high concentrations of PFAS chemicals such as PFOS and PFOA, which can leach into the ground during training exercises, equipment testing, and emergency responses.

Once released, these forever chemicals migrate through soil and accumulate in groundwater, posing a significant threat to both on-base drinking water supplies and nearby water systems.

Additional contamination pathways include runoff from fire suppression systems, storage sites, and disposal areas, as well as leaks from aging firefighting infrastructure or PFAS-containing products.

These toxic substances, classified as polyfluoroalkyl substances, are extremely persistent in the environment, resisting natural degradation and accumulating over time in both water supplies and human blood.

With confirmed PFAS contamination at NSWC Annapolis, addressing pfas contamination has become a top priority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), military oversight bodies, and environmental organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at NWSC Annapolis

Exposure to PFAS contaminated water at NSWC Annapolis may impact a wide range of individuals, including active-duty military personnel, civilian workers, veterans, and family members living on or near the base.

Those who regularly consumed drinking water from on-base systems or private wells in nearby communities are at particular risk of ingesting PFAS chemicals at levels far above the EPA’s health advisory limits.

Given the significant PFAS concentrations detected in groundwater, anyone residing in or around NSWC Annapolis during periods of active AFFF use may have unknowingly been exposed to hazardous substances.

Surrounding communities, including off-base residents who rely on private drinking water wells, are also vulnerable due to groundwater contamination and PFAS migration beyond military site boundaries.

Long-term exposure to PFAS chemicals has been associated with numerous health concerns, including thyroid disease, testicular cancer, developmental delays, immune system dysfunction, and other serious health issues.

The ongoing presence of these toxic chemicals underscores the need for federal intervention, environmental monitoring, and legal advocacy to protect public health and address PFAS pollution at contaminated military sites like NSWC Annapolis.

Do You Qualify For The Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit?

You may qualify for the Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS lawsuit if you were exposed to PFAS contaminated water while living, working, or serving at NSWC Annapolis or in the surrounding communities.

This includes military service members, civilian workers, and family members who relied on on-base drinking water supplies or nearby private drinking water wells that may have been contaminated due to confirmed PFAS contamination.

Individuals who experienced health problems following exposure to PFAS chemicals such as PFOS or PFOA—commonly found in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) used at military installations—could be eligible to take legal action.

Health issues linked to PFAS exposure include thyroid disease, testicular cancer, developmental delays, immune system suppression, and other serious conditions.

If you or a loved one were stationed at or lived near this military site and were diagnosed with any of these illnesses, legal avenues may be available.

A law firm experienced in PFAS water contamination lawsuits can help assess your eligibility and guide you through the process of holding those responsible accountable.

Gathering Evidence for a PFAS Lawsuit

Building a strong PFAS lawsuit related to NSWC Annapolis begins with collecting key evidence that connects your PFAS exposure to resulting health consequences.

Start by gathering records showing that you were stationed at or worked on the base, or that you resided in nearby areas with potential PFAS contamination.

This may include military service documents, housing records, and proof of water usage from affected drinking water systems—especially in areas where PFAS levels were elevated due to firefighting foam and other PFAS-containing products.

You’ll also need medical records that document health risks associated with PFAS exposure, such as cancer diagnoses, thyroid disease, or immune system disorders.

Supporting evidence can include environmental reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), groundwater contamination data, or PFAS detection levels from organizations like the Environmental Working Group.

Given the complexity of PFAS pollution and its effects on public health, working with a law firm experienced in contaminated military bases and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) claims can improve your chances of securing meaningful compensation.

TorHoerman Law: Investigating the Naval Surface Warfare Center PFAS Lawsuit

TorHoerman Law is actively investigating claims related to PFAS contamination at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Annapolis Division.

With a deep understanding of the legal and scientific complexities surrounding PFAS exposure, our team is committed to helping military service members, civilian workers, and residents affected by PFAS contaminated drinking water pursue justice.

The use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) at military installations like NSWC Annapolis has resulted in widespread PFAS pollution, exposing nearby communities to hazardous chemicals such as PFOS and PFOA—classified as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body.

Our legal team is reviewing claims involving serious health problems linked to PFAS exposure, including thyroid disease, testicular cancer, immune system damage, and other long-term conditions.

We work closely with environmental experts and rely on data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and groundwater contamination reports to build strong cases on behalf of our clients.

If you lived or worked at NSWC Annapolis or a nearby area impacted by PFAS water contamination, TorHoerman Law may be able to help you seek financial compensation through a PFAS water contamination lawsuit.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are PFAS Chemicals and What are they Used In?

    PFAS chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made toxic chemicals widely used for their resistance to heat, water, and oil.

    Commonly found in firefighting foam (specifically aqueous film forming foam or AFFF), non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, food packaging, and industrial applications, these “forever chemicals” do not break down in the environment or the human body.

    Their widespread use at military installations such as the Naval Surface Warfare Center has led to serious PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies.

  • What Health Effects are Linked to PFAS Exposure?

    Long-term exposure to PFAS contaminated drinking water has been linked to a wide range of serious health problems.

    Documented health consequences include thyroid disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer, immune system dysfunction, developmental delays, and liver damage.

    Military service members, civilian workers, and nearby residents exposed to PFAS chemicals face increased health risks due to the persistent and bioaccumulative nature of these hazardous substances.

  • What is the Source of PFAS Contamination at Military Bases?

    The primary source of PFAS contamination at military bases is the use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant used extensively during training exercises and emergency responses to jet fuel and chemical fires.

    Improper disposal, equipment runoff, and leaks from storage areas have also contributed to PFAS exposure and groundwater contamination.

    As a result, many military sites, including NSWC Annapolis and other air force bases, have confirmed PFAS contamination, putting public health and surrounding communities at serious risk.

  • Which Military Sites Are Involved in PFAS Water Contamination Cases Besides NSWC Annapolis?

    The scale of PFAS exposure is not limited to a single branch or base.

    Many military installations across the country have documented PFAS pollution linked to firefighting foam use.

    These include:

    • Cannon Air Force Base (New Mexico)
    • Pease Air Force Base (New Hampshire)
    • Sawyer Air Force Base (Michigan)
    • Warren Air Force Base (Wyoming)
    • Brunswick Naval Air Station (Maine)
    • Marine Corps Base Hawaii
    • Blue Grass Army Depot (Kentucky)
    • McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (Oklahoma)

    Each of these is either undergoing PFAS investigation or has been listed as a contaminated site with potentially contaminated groundwater or soil.

    PFAS water contamination cases at these sites mirror the contamination concerns now emerging at NSWC Annapolis.

  • How Has the United States Government Responded to PFAS Contamination on Military Property?

    The United States government, through the Department of Defense (DoD) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has begun addressing its PFAS-related cleanup responsibilities at military installations.

    However, progress has been slow and uneven.

    Despite some cleanup efforts, many contaminated water supplies remain in close proximity to on-base housing, training zones, or community wells.

    Legal actions and oversight reports suggest gaps between federal intent and actual remediation outcomes, leaving military personnel and nearby civilians exposed to drinking contaminated water long after PFAS was first discovered.

  • Are PFAS Manufacturers or the Military Responsible for Cleanup?

    Legal liability is being debated.

    On one hand, PFAS manufacturers—primarily chemical companies that produced and marketed PFAS-laden firefighting foam—are accused of knowingly selling hazardous products.

    On the other, the military continued to use these products for decades without environmental safeguards.

    Legal action has primarily focused on chemical manufacturers and their role in deceptive practices and product design defects.

    The Department of Defense has been scrutinized for known or suspected discharges of PFAS chemicals, but legal action has been focused on the companies which promoted and sold these products.

  • Who Is Most At Risk from PFAS Exposure at Naval Surface Warfare Center Annapolis?

    The group most at risk includes:

    • Many military personnel stationed or trained at the base
    • Families living in or near base housing with contaminated water supplies
    • Civilian contractors exposed through maintenance or construction
    • Local residents potentially exposed through groundwater runoff into nearby communities

    Prolonged exposure to drinking water contaminated with PFAS may lead to increased risk of cancer, thyroid dysfunction, liver damage, and fertility issues.

  • How Long Has PFAS Been Used at NSWC Annapolis?

    While exact usage records are incomplete, it’s likely that PFAS-containing firefighting foams have been in use at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Annapolis since the Cold War era, potentially dating back to World War II-era firefighting research and modernization.

    Over time, those same chemicals contributed to contamination concerns that now affect both infrastructure and human health.

    The persistence of PFAS in soil and groundwater means that even early discharges continue to pose risks to current and former personnel, including those from Air National Guard Base units and training operations in nearby regions like North Dakota.

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Tor Hoerman

Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law

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