Certain PFAS have been found at detectable levels in the groundwater at Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois, raising serious concerns for the health and safety of those in the surrounding communities.
Scott Air Force Base (AFB) has historically utilized Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) for firefighting purposes.
AFFF, containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has been employed since the 1970s to effectively extinguish petroleum-based fires, such as those involving aircraft.
The use of AFFF at Scott Air Force Base has resulted in PFAS seeping into the ground during firefighting training exercises and actual fire emergencies.
Firefighting foam was commonly sprayed from hoses during training drills and deployed through automated systems in aircraft hangars, where it coated large areas to suppress fuel fires.
Over time, these chemicals have migrated through the soil, reaching the base’s groundwater and potentially contaminating drinking water sources both on and off the base.
Because PFAS are highly persistent and do not easily break down, they remain in the water supply for extended periods, raising significant concerns and health risks for those relying on nearby wells or water systems.
The widespread contamination underscores the risks posed by decades of PFAS use, with health implications for anyone exposed to the polluted water.
According to data collected by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS levels at Scott Air Force Base are as follows:
- PFBS: 14,000 PPT
- PFOA: 62,000 PPT
- PFOS: 81,000 PPT
- PFOS+PFOA: 104,000
In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals.
The limits for the specific chemicals found at Scott AFB (PFOA and PFOS) are at a mere 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
As mentioned above, PFOS levels at Scott Air Force Base are 20,250 times higher than the new rule implemented by the EPA, while PFOA levels are 15,500 times higher.
The combined PFOS and PFOA levels at Scott AFB are 26,000 times above the EPA’s threshold, underscoring the severity of PFAS contamination at the site.
Who May Have Been Exposed to PFAS in Drinking Water at Scott AFB?
Individuals exposed to PFAS in drinking water at Scott AFB include those living on or near the base who rely on local water supplies.
Military personnel and their families stationed at Scott AFB may have been exposed, as well as civilian employees and contractors who worked on base.
Residents in nearby communities with private wells are at risk, especially in areas where PFAS levels have exceeded EPA health advisories.
The following groups may suffer from PFAS exposure resulting from AFFF at Scott AFB:
- Military personnel and their families stationed at Scott AFB
- Civilian employees and contractors working on base
- Nearby residents using private wells
- Individuals relying on groundwater sources in affected areas around Scott AFB
Are PFAS Chemicals in Public Drinking Water Systems or Wells Near Scott AFB?
Testing has detected PFAS chemicals in public drinking water systems and private wells near Scott Air Force Base (AFB).
In 2020, the Air Force began sampling off-base wells to assess potential contamination from PFAS, particularly perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
At least one off-base residential well was found to have PFAS levels exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) lifetime health advisory of 70 parts per trillion (ppt).
In response, the Air Force provided alternative drinking water sources to affected residents and initiated further investigations to determine the extent of contamination.
The presence of PFAS in nearby private wells raises concerns about potential exposure for residents in the surrounding communities.
Ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts are essential to ensure the safety of drinking water sources near Scott AFB.
Scott AFB: Among the Hundreds of Military Sites with Dangerous PFAS Contamination
Scott Air Force Base (AFB) in Illinois is among numerous U.S. military installations grappling with significant PFAS contamination.
The Department of Defense has identified over 700 military sites with known or suspected releases of these toxic chemicals, primarily from the extensive use of firefighting foams.
At Scott AFB, testing has revealed PFAS levels in groundwater that far exceed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) health advisory limits, raising concerns for both military personnel and nearby residents.
The health implications of PFAS exposure suffered by military service members are severe, with links to cancers, thyroid disease, liver damage, and immune system suppression.
Communities surrounding military bases, including Scott AFB, have reported contaminated drinking water supplies, leading to increased health risks and prompting legal actions against manufacturers and the military.
Cleanup efforts are underway at many sites, but the persistence of PFAS in the environment makes remediation challenging and costly.
The ongoing contamination at military bases like Scott AFB underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address PFAS pollution and protect public health.
What is the EPA Standard for PFAS Levels in Water?
In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the first national, legally enforceable drinking water standards for six specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
EPA Issued PFAS Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are:
- PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid): 4 parts per trillion (ppt)
- PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate): 4 ppt
- PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid): 10 ppt
- PFHxS (Perfluorohexane sulfonate): 10 ppt
- HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX Chemicals): 10 ppt
- PFBS (Perfluorobutane sulfonate): Regulated through a Hazard Index approach
The Hazard Index is a tool used to evaluate the combined risk of exposure to multiple PFAS when they co-occur in drinking water.
It accounts for the additive effects of these chemicals, ensuring that the total exposure does not exceed safe levels.
These regulations aim to protect public health by reducing exposure to these persistent chemicals, which have been linked to various adverse health effects, including certain cancers, liver damage, and immune system impacts.
Public water systems are required to monitor for these PFAS and take necessary actions to comply with the established MCLs.
