Exposed veterans can benefit from PFAS Act

By Jonathan Sharp | Times Observer | October 14, 2023

Read the full article by Jonathan Sharp (Times Observer)

"Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and many of these brave people trained at military bases during active duty. However, the vast majority of military installations across the country have been heavily contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” for decades. Exposure to these harmful substances is responsible for countless health problems, including kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer.

The Keystone State is also home to four military bases. One of the military facilities in the state with a high PFAS level in its environment is North Penn. Located in Worcester, the military base has a “forever chemicals” level of 315 parts per trillion, which exceeds the EPA’s new safe exposure limit of 4 parts per trillion by over 78 times.

Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster is another military base in Pennsylvania with a high PFAS level in the environment. Established in 1940, the environment of the military installation contains a “forever chemicals” level of 27,130 parts per trillion, eclipsing the maximum permissible limit by 6,782 times. Serving 40,000 residents, the water system of Warminster is also contaminated with PFAS and other toxic agents due to the activity of the nearby military base. There are currently 18 contaminants lurking in the drinking water of the city above the safe exposure limit, among which are chloroform, arsenic, PFOA, PFOS, radium, dichloroacetic acid, and uranium. Because “forever chemicals” can easily infiltrate groundwater, it should come as no surprise that the water supply of Warminster is now contaminated."