No Longer Accepting Claims
PFAS Contamination Lawsuit Facts
TorHoerman Law is no longer accepting claims for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit.
Intake Closed
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB), located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, has faced significant environmental challenges due to contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The primary source of this contamination is the historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in firefighting training and emergency responses.
AFFF, widely used by the military for its effectiveness in suppressing flammable liquid fires or liquid fuel fires, contains high concentrations of PFAS, which are persistent in the environment and resistant to natural degradation.
According to testing published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS Levels Detected at Seymour Johnson AFB in 2017 were:
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in groundwater (on-base): 100,000 parts per trillion (ppt)
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in groundwater (on-base): 300,000 ppt
- Combined PFOS and PFOA in groundwater (on-base): 312,000 ppt
- Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) in groundwater (on-base): 14,000 ppt
These concentrations far exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) health advisory level of 4 ppt for PFOS and PFOA, indicating a substantial contamination issue.
In response to these findings, the Air Force has undertaken measures to monitor and address PFAS contamination.
Regular sampling and analysis of the base’s drinking water system are conducted to detect the presence of 29 different PFAS compounds.
For instance, a validated sampling event on March 14, 2023, indicated the presence of several PFAS compounds within the Seymour Johnson AFB drinking water system, including PFOA at 0.0043 µg/L (4.3 ppt) and PFOS at 0.0067 µg/L (6.7 ppt).
Despite these monitoring efforts, concerns remain regarding the long-term environmental and health impacts of PFAS contamination at and around Seymour Johnson AFB.
The persistence of these chemicals in the environment necessitates ongoing monitoring, transparent communication with affected communities, and the development of effective remediation strategies to mitigate potential risks.
Who May Have Been Exposed to PFAS Pollution at Seymour Johnson AFB?
The primary source of PFAS contamination at Seymour Johnson AFB is the historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in firefighting exercises.
Accidental discharges of AFFF, such as those occurring in 2015 at Building 4735, led to significant releases of PFAS into the environment.
These incidents contributed to the contamination of local water sources, including the Neuse River, which borders the base.
While the base receives its drinking water from the City of Goldsboro Municipal System, ongoing monitoring and coordination with city stakeholders are essential to ensure water safety.
The persistence of PFAS in the environment necessitates continuous efforts to assess and mitigate exposure risks for both on-base and off-base populations.
Individuals who may have been exposed to PFAS pollution at and around Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB) include:
- Military personnel: Service members stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB who may have consumed or used contaminated water.
- Base residents and employees: Individuals living or working on the base, including civilian staff, who utilized the base’s water supply.
- Local community members: Residents of Goldsboro and surrounding areas who rely on the Neuse River and local groundwater, which may have been affected by PFAS runoff from the base.
Are PFAS Chemicals in Public Drinking Water Systems or Wells Near Seymour Johnson AFB?
Yes, PFAS chemicals have been detected in both public drinking water systems and private wells in surrounding communities near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (AFB).
In 2017, groundwater on the base exhibited PFOS levels of 300,000 parts per trillion (ppt) and PFOA levels of 100,000 ppt, significantly exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) health advisory level of 70 ppt.
Subsequent testing in 2023 indicated the presence of PFAS compounds in the base’s drinking water system, with PFOS detected at 6.1 ppt and PFOA at 4.3 ppt.
Private drinking water wells off-base have been found to contain PFAS levels above the EPA’s maximum contaminant levels, prompting concerns about the safety of local water supplies.
The Department of Defense has identified Seymour Johnson AFB as one of the installations with known PFAS contamination affecting both groundwater and drinking water sources.
Seymour Johnson AFB is Among Hundreds of Military Sites with Dangerous PFAS Contamination
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is one of over 700 military installations across the United States grappling with significant PFAS contamination.
These bases have been heavily impacted by decades of using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting agent containing high concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
These hazardous substances have leached into soil and groundwater, creating widespread environmental and public health risks for military personnel, their families, and nearby communities.
PFAS contamination at military sites, including Seymour Johnson AFB, has been linked to high levels of these persistent chemicals in water sources, often far exceeding regulatory limits.
The contamination reflects a broader problem across the military, as many installations still face challenges in addressing exposure risks and mitigating environmental damage.
With long-term health consequences such as cancer, immune suppression, and thyroid disorders associated with PFAS exposure, the need for immediate remediation and federal action is urgent.
Seymour Johnson AFB’s contamination underscores the larger issue of environmental stewardship within the military and the importance of accountability to protect both service members and surrounding populations.
