How Military Bases Became PFAS Contamination Sites

Beginning in the 1970s, the U.S. Department of Defense adopted AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) as the required fire suppression agent at military airfields. AFFF contains extremely high concentrations of PFOS and PFOA — PFAS compounds that are persistent, bioaccumulative, and linked to cancer and other serious health conditions.

The military used AFFF extensively in:

  • Routine fire training exercises at airfield crash and rescue facilities
  • Aircraft hangar fire suppression systems
  • Emergency response to actual aircraft crashes and fuel fires
  • Testing and maintenance of fire suppression equipment

When AFFF is deployed, the foam soaks into the ground. PFAS leaches through soil and into groundwater — and stays there indefinitely. The military knew about PFAS persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for decades but continued using PFOS-based AFFF until congressional action mandated a phase-out.

Scale of Military PFAS Contamination

The scope of military base PFAS contamination is extraordinary:

  • The Department of Defense has identified over 700 military installations where AFFF use has resulted in confirmed PFAS groundwater contamination
  • Hundreds of these sites have contamination levels exceeding EPA health advisory levels
  • The DoD has spent billions of dollars on PFAS remediation — and estimates tens of billions more will be needed
  • Communities within miles of contaminated bases have had their well water and public water supplies contaminated

Notable Contaminated Military Installations

While virtually every major military airfield has some level of PFAS contamination, these installations have particularly significant contamination or high-profile litigation:

Peterson Space Force Base, CO

PFAS contamination affecting Colorado Springs area groundwater

Tyndall AFB, FL

Extensive PFAS contamination in Bay County, FL

Pease Air National Guard Base, NH

Contaminated Pease Tradeport wells; one of the earliest-discovered military PFAS sites

Robins AFB, GA

PFAS contamination affecting Warner Robins community groundwater

Naval Station Norfolk, VA

World's largest naval station; extensive AFFF use history

Nellis AFB, NV

Las Vegas-area PFAS contamination from decades of AFFF use

Westover ARB, MA

Springfield, MA area contamination; Massachusetts has strict PFAS standards

Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), NC

PFAS contamination in Fayetteville, NC area water

Note: This list is not exhaustive. The Department of Defense's full list of PFAS-contaminated installations is available on the DoD PFAS website.

Who Is Affected?

Veterans Who Served at Contaminated Bases

Active duty service members who lived in base housing, used base water, or trained with AFFF foam at contaminated installations may have experienced significant PFAS exposure over their service years. Veterans who served at multiple bases may have had cumulative exposure across multiple contaminated sites.

Military Families

Military families who lived in on-base housing were fully dependent on the base water supply. Children in military families faced developmental-period PFAS exposure during critical windows of susceptibility.

Civilian Community Members Near Bases

Communities drawing drinking water from aquifers near contaminated military installations have experienced PFAS exposure without ever setting foot on a military base. PFAS plumes from military installations can migrate miles from the source.

DoD Civilian Employees

Civilian workers at military installations — including Department of Defense employees, contractors, and base service workers — may have experienced occupational PFAS exposure.

AFFF Military Claims vs. Camp Lejeune Claims

Two distinct types of military environmental contamination claims exist — and they are very different:

AFFF/PFAS Claims

  • Any contaminated military base
  • Filed against manufacturers (3M, Chemguard, etc.)
  • Civil MDL 2873 in D. South Carolina
  • Covers kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, etc.
  • Standard state statutes of limitations apply

Camp Lejeune Claims

  • Only for Camp Lejeune, NC (1953–1987)
  • Filed against the U.S. government (Navy)
  • Camp Lejeune Justice Act (2022) process
  • Covers benzene, TCE, PCE, other chemicals
  • Separate filing deadline and process

You may be eligible for both types of claims if applicable. Consult an attorney to evaluate each separately.

Health Conditions Qualifying for Military PFAS Claims

Veterans and military families with the following conditions after documented base PFAS exposure may have strong claims:

  • Kidney cancer / renal cell carcinoma
  • Testicular cancer
  • Thyroid cancer or thyroid disease
  • Bladder cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • High cholesterol (diagnosed)
  • Pregnancy complications (for military spouses)

VA Benefits vs. PFAS Lawsuit: Two Separate Paths

If you are a veteran with a PFAS-linked illness, you may have two separate sources of potential recovery:

  1. VA disability benefits: VA compensation for service-connected conditions. Work with a VSO (Veterans Service Organization) or attorney to file a VA claim. The VA has been expanding PFAS-related presumptive conditions.
  2. Civil lawsuit against AFFF manufacturers: A separate claim against 3M, Chemguard, and other companies that made the contaminated foam. This does not affect your VA benefits eligibility.

Both paths can be pursued simultaneously. A civil attorney handles the lawsuit; a VSO or accredited claims agent handles VA benefits.

Check Your Military PFAS Claim Eligibility — Free →