PFAS Exposure on Military Bases linked to Cancer

708 Military Sites Known or Suspected of PFAS Contamination

Attention: The Schmidt National Law Group is no longer accepting these PFAS Cases.

January 12, 2023 – San Diego, CA — For the last couple of years news stories have covered the health problems linked to exposure to PFAS chemicals. These chemicals have been around since being developed in the 1940’s and have become prevalent in common household items and in other uses. Known as “Forever Chemicals” due to the fact they don’t break down in nature, they will continue to pollute and be a health risk as long as they exist.   

“PFAS” is an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are found in non-stick cooking pans (brand name “Teflon”), waterproof cosmetics, used to prevent carpet stains, rain proof clothing items, and also commonly found on military bases and military airports  in the use of firefighting foam known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

DuPont and 3M corporations have been responsible for the cover-up of harmful environmental and human impacts of PFAS since the 1960’s.   

The Department of Defense did a study in March of 2020 and found that over 600 military bases have some level of PFAS contamination. It’s found in nearly every state in the US.

Since it’s been around and widely used since the 1940’s and the long term use, hundreds of thousands of men and women stationed at various military bases across the nation, may have come into direct contact with PFAS either in the form of water contamination or in firefighting foam during their daily work or training routines. 

What Health Risks are Linked to PFAS Exposure?

The NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE reports these cancers have been associated with PFAS exposure.  

• Kidney Cancer  
• Testicular Cancer
• Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer   
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Thyroid Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer and Childhood Leukemia 

Other studies provided by the Center for Disease Control have also suggested that there is a link between a suppressed auto-immune system and high levels of PFAS, leading to an increase of viruses, bacterial infections and an increase in chances of getting COVID-19 and other SARS type illness.  

Which Military bases are affected by PFAS contaminants?

We are gathering data from both government agencies and other watch-dog environmental groups and will publish more findings during our investigations. It appears the highest levels of PFAS / PFOA contaminants are in Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington.  If you don’t see your base listed, call us for information at 1-800-631-5656.    

List of military bases with contaminated water:

The following list shows the highest level of PFAS contaminants in each state’s military base in parts per trillion. (this is a partial list only).

NAME		TOTAL PFAS (PARTS PER TRILLION)	PFAS DETECTED		SAMPLE YEAR
Fort Leavenworth	Kansas	4,022.70	6:2 FTS, PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA		2018
Joint Forces Training Base	California	790.5	PFBS, PFBA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
Belmont Armory	Michigan	457.1	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA		2018
McChord Air Force Base	Washington	303	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA		2017
Fort Hunter Liggett	California	235	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA		2018
Sierra Army Depot	California	221	PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA		2017
Camp Grayling	Michigan	172.3	PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
El Campo Training Site	Texas	169.57	PFBS, PFBA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFNA, FOSA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTriA, PFUnA		2017
Fort Lewis	Washington	144.8	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA		2018
Picatinny Arsenal	New Jersey	144.2	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA		2018
Camp Ethan Allen	Vermont	112.2	PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
Fort Drum	New York	110	PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA		2016
Camp Smith	New York	80.6	PFHxS, PFOS		2016
Yuma Proving Ground	Arizona	66.6	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFOA		2016
Fort Bragg	North Carolina	62.14	PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA		2016
Coventry Training Site	Rhode Island	61.21	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTeA		2017
Center Strafford Training Site	New Hampshire	60.59	6:2 FTS, PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
Bangor Air Guard Training Site	Maine	55.32	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
West Point Military Reservation	New York	55	PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOA		2018
Marianna Readiness Center	Florida	53.25	6:2 FTS, PFBS, PFBA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTriA, PFTeA		2017
Sharpe Army Depot	California	43.7	PFBS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA		2018
Silverbell Army Heliport	Arizona	39.17	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTeA		2017
Carlisle Barracks	Pennsylvania	37.2	PFBS, PFHpA,PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA		2017
Rock Island Arsenal	Illinois	34	PFBS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA		2018
Camp Navajo	Arizona	31.26	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
Camp Tarlton	Ohio	30.2	PFBA, PFPeA		2017
Camp Williams	Utah	29.59	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTeA		2017
Fort Riley	Kansas	28.8	PFBS, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOA		2018
Ocala Readiness Center	Florida	26.98	PFBS, PFBA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Fort Huachuca	Arizona	26.5	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA		2018
North Smithfield Air Guard Station	Rhode Island	20.01	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTriA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Parks	California	18.6	PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS		2017
Camp Ripley	Minnisota	18.39	PFBA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFTeA		2017
Gunpowder Military Reservation	Maryland	15.79	PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTeA		2017
Shelbyville Army Aviation Support Facility	Indiana	15.05	PFDA, PFDoA, PFNA, PFTriA, PFUnA		2017
Frederick Readiness Center	Maryland	14.69	PFBS, PFBA, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA, PFTeA		2017
Christmas Valley Air Force Station	Oregon	14.3	FOSA, PFOA		2017
Norfol	Nebraska	13.82	PFBA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Grand Ledge Army Aviation Support	Michigan	13.63	6:2 FTS, PFHxA, PFOA		2017
Aberdeen Proving Ground	Maryland	13.2	PFBS, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA		2018
Midwest City Readiness Center	Oklahoma	11.91	PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA		2017
Terre Haute	Indiana	11.35	PFDA, PFDoA, PFNA, PFTriA, PFUnA		2017
White Sands Missile Range	New Mexico	11	PFNA		2016
Fort Gordon	Georgia	10.8	PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFOS		2018
Bend	Oregon	9.75	PFHxA, FOSA		2017
Camp Grafton	North Dakota	9.34	PFBA, PFDA, PFNA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Custer Training Site	South Dakota	8.57	PFBS, PFBA, PFDA, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Fort Detrick	Maryland	8	PFBS, PFOS, PFOA		2016
Franklin	New Jersey	7.68	PFHxA, PFOS, PFOA, PFPeA		2017
Camp Guernsey	Wyoming	7.06	PFBA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFOA, PFTriA, PFTeA, PFUnA		2017
Camp Baker	Maryland	6.47	PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Lake City Army Ammunition Plant	Missouri	6.3	PFHpA		2016
North Hyde Park Training Site	Vermont	5.96	PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Billings	Montana	5.79	PFBS, PFBA, PFOS, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Minden	Louisiana	5.72	6:2 FTS		2017
Lane County Armed Forces Reserve Center	Oregon	5.65	PFHxS, FOSA, PFOS, PFTeA		2017
Fort Leonard Wood	Missouri	5.6	PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS		2016
Westminster Training Site	Vermont	5.55	PFBA, PFHxA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
West Camp Rapid	South Dakota	5.53	PFBS, PFBA, PFHxS, PFTeA		2017
Camp Ashland	Nebraska	4.76	PFBA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFTeA		2017
Stone’s Ranch Military Reservation	Connecticut	4.56	PFTriA, PFTeA		2017
Camp McCain	Mississippi	4.22	PFBA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFTeA, PFUnA		2017
Camp Fretterd Readiness	Maryland	3.9	PFBS, PFBA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Rilea	Oregon	3.77	6:2 FTS, PFBA, FOSA, PFTeA		2017
Biak Training Center	Oregon	3.72	FOSA		2017
Camp Ravenna	Ohio	3.71	PFBS, PFBA, PFUnA		2017
Ontario Readiness Center	Oregon	3.5	PFBA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Queen Anne Readiness Center	Maryland	3.15	PFBA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Rehoboth	Massachusetts	2.92	PFOS, PFOA		2017
Camp Gruber	Oklahoma	2.82	PFBA, PFOA		2017
Camp Bowie	Texas	2.66	FOSA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Davis	North Dakota	2.61	PFBA, PFDA, PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Roberts	California	2.25	PFTeA		2017
Camp Blanding	Florida	2.14	PFDoA, PFTriA, PFTeA		2017
SSG Isadore S. Jachman Reserve Center	Maryland	2.1	PFOA		2016
McCrady Training Center	South Carolina	2.02	PFOA, PFTeA		2017
Limestone Hills Training	Montana	1.98	PFBA, PFTeA		2017
Redstone Arsenal	Alabama	1.9	PFBS		2019
Lebanon Motor Pool	Oregon	1.85	FOSA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Shelby	Mississippi	1.73	PFTeA		2017
Garrison	North Dakota	1.67	PFBA, PFTeA		2017
Flemington	New Jersey	1.67	PFOA		2017
Greenlief Training	Nebraska	1.42	PFTriA, PFTeA		2017
Alcantra Armory Complex	Alaska	1.3	PFBA		2017
Gerry Reserve Center	New York	1.1	PFOA		2016
Horseheads	New York	1	PFTeA		2017
Stewart Air National Guard	New York	0.99	PFOA		2016
Roseburg Armory	Oregon	0.8	PFTeA		2017
Montesano Armory	Washington	0.8	PFTeA		2017
Salem Anderson Readiness	Oregon	0.71	PFBA		2017
Bridgeton	New Jersey	0.7	PFTeA		2017
Jackson Readiness Center	Michigan	0.69	PFOA		2017
SSG Frederick J. III Jr.	New York	0.68	PFOA		2016
Buckeye Training Site	Arizona	0.6	PFBA		2017
Picacho Aviation Training Site	Arizona	0.56	PFTeA		2017
Hayward Training Site	Wisconsin	0.54	PFBA, PFTeA		2017
Camp Florence	Arizona	0.52	PFTeA		2017
La Plata Readiness Center	Maryland	0.4	PFTeA		2017
Mead Training Site	Nebraska	0.37	PFTeA		2017
Grants Pass Armory	Oregon	0.18	PFTeA		2017

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What are Officials doing about the PFAS Contaminations on Military bases?

By law, all military bases are required to test for PFAS / PFOA contaminants and must publish the findings.  

Defense Department spokesperson Peter Hughes issued the following statement, and that the military is working to address contamination issues and to assist affected communities next to military bases.

“The Department is committed to addressing the presence of PFAS in drinking water from its activities and immediately took action at all of these sites to reduce levels of PFAS in drinking water to below the EPA’s lifetime drinking water health advisory of 70 ppt,” Hughes said. “This action includes treatment of drinking water or providing alternative water supplies, such as bottled water, implementing a whole-house filtration system, or connecting residents served by private wells to public drinking water systems.”

Congress acted last year by allocating nearly $500 million for PFAS cleanup specifically intended for military bases alone, and that figure could go even higher.  This, along with the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act mandates that the Defense Department phase out its use of AFFF and find a less hazardous foam replacement. 

Who’s Accountable for the Military Base Cancer Risk?

Simply put, the manufacturers who allegedly have known about the PFAS chemicals found in AFFF since at least the 1940’s when production began, yet they chose not to disclose or make public the fact that these “Forever chemicals” could be present in their products.  

Because of the lack of warning labels, instructional use guidelines or other warnings these companies can be held liable for injuries to any firefighter who may be diagnosed with cancer or other debilitating health problems.  

What Actions Can Victims of PFAS exposure on Military Bases Take?

Have you or a loved one lived or worked at a military base and developed cancer or other serious illness?

We’re now finding that possibly millions of military service members, contractors, civilian workers, and their families were exposed to toxic chemicals at the bases where they lived or worked.

If you developed cancer, it very well may be related to your time at a military base. You may qualify for substantial financial compensation via cash settlements. Take Action Now by using the 100% Secure claims form on this page, or call us directly toll free at 1-800-631-5656.

Updated for: List of military bases with contaminated water, on July 1, 2025.

Sources: 

https://theintercept.com/2018/07/31/3m-pfas-minnesota-pfoa-pfos/

https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas