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PFAS Contamination Lawsuit Facts
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Dangerously high PFAS levels have been detected in the groundwater at Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
These synthetic chemicals—commonly referred to as forever chemicals—were identified in alarming concentrations, indicating widespread PFAS contamination tied to past military activities at this Air Force base.
Published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS chemicals were detected at the following levels in Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) groundwater in 2019:
- PFBS: 34,000 ppt
- PFOS: 54,000 ppt
- PFOA: 11,000 ppt
- PFOS + PFOA Combined: 65,000 ppt
These concentrations far surpass the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 ppt for both PFOS and PFOA in drinking water, confirming that PFAS-contaminated water poses a serious threat to nearby drinking water supplies and the surrounding military installations and communities.
Sources of PFAS Exposure at Youngstown Air Reserve Station
The primary source of PFAS contamination at Youngstown Air Reserve Station (YARS) is the long-standing use of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)—a fire suppressant commonly deployed by the military to extinguish jet fuel and chemical fires during training exercises, equipment tests, and emergency responses.
This firefighting foam contains high concentrations of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including PFOS and PFOA, which have been identified as forever chemicals due to their resistance to degradation in the environment.
Over the years, repeated AFFF discharges have allowed these toxic chemicals to infiltrate the soil and cause severe groundwater contamination.
As a result, PFAS-contaminated water has spread from the base into nearby drinking water supplies, affecting both on-base drinking water systems and off-base private drinking water wells.
Additional sources of PFAS pollution may include the storage and handling of PFAS-containing products, equipment runoff, improper waste disposal practices, and leaching from contaminated infrastructure and military sites.
Given the persistence of these substances, PFAS levels continue to rise in and around military installations like YARS, creating a long-term threat to public health and the environment.
Who May Be Exposed to PFAS at Youngstown Air Reserve Station
Multiple groups are at risk of PFAS exposure due to the confirmed presence of PFAS chemicals at Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
These include military service members, civilian workers, maintenance personnel, and contractors who were stationed at or routinely operated within the base during periods of AFFF use.
Family members living in on-base housing and people in surrounding communities who rely on groundwater or private wells for their drinking water may have also unknowingly consumed PFAS-contaminated drinking water.
Long-term exposure to PFAS compounds has been linked to serious health risks, including thyroid disease, immune system dysfunction, developmental delays, and several forms of cancer such as kidney cancer.
The confirmed and significant PFAS contamination at YARS, as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Environmental Working Group, highlights the urgent need for action to address PFAS contamination at military bases.
These exposures underscore the growing concerns around environmental and health damages stemming from military PFAS use and call for aggressive cleanup efforts and legal accountability.
