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.
