Castle Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit

Castle Air Force Base has recorded PFAS levels of 2,598,770 parts per trillion (ppt), which exceeds EPA safety limits by an astounding 37,000 times, making it one of the most severely contaminated military sites in the United States.

This extreme contamination resulted from decades of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) use during firefighting training exercises and emergency responses from the 1970s through the base’s closure in 1995, as documented by the EPA’s Superfund site records.

The History and Extent of PFAS Contamination

Castle Air Force Base operated as a Strategic Air Command training facility from 1941 to 1995, during which routine firefighting exercises using AFFF created persistent environmental contamination from toxic substances that continues affecting groundwater and surrounding communities today.

The military adopted AFFF specifications requiring its use in 1969, leading to widespread deployment at Castle AFB throughout the 1970s for both training drills and actual aircraft fire emergencies, according to Department of Defense PFAS reporting.

Key contamination milestones at Castle AFB include, but are not limited to:

• 1969-1970: Military adoption of AFFF specifications and initial deployment at air bases nationwide
• 1970s-1995: Continuous AFFF use during firefighting training exercises and emergency responses
• 1979: First discovery of groundwater contamination at Castle AFB
• 1987: EPA designates Castle AFB as a Superfund site
• 1995: Base closure on September 30, but contamination persists
• 2020-2024: Testing reveals PFAS levels at 2,598,770 ppt

Castle AFB’s contamination level of 2,598,770 ppt represents one of the highest PFAS concentrations documented at any U.S. military facility, surpassing many other severely contaminated bases by orders of magnitude.

This extraordinary contamination resulted from the base’s role as an aircrew training facility where AFFF was routinely used in fire suppression system testing, hangar deluge systems, and crash rescue training scenarios during military operations.

How Military Personnel and Families Were Exposed

Military personnel and their families stationed at Castle AFB were exposed to harmful substances primarily through contaminated drinking water systems that served base housing, workplaces, and recreational facilities.

For decades, service members and their loved ones unknowingly consumed water containing PFAS levels thousands of times higher than current safety standards, with exposure occurring through everyday activities like drinking, cooking, and bathing, as confirmed by California Water Board testing requirements.

Primary exposure pathways at Castle AFB included, but were not limited to:

• Base housing water systems: Contaminated groundwater supplied residential units where families lived
• Workplace drinking fountains and facilities: Personnel consumed PFAS-laden water throughout duty hours
• Recreational facilities: Swimming pools, sports complexes, and dining facilities used contaminated water
• Direct occupational exposure: Firefighters and maintenance crews handled AFFF during training and emergencies
• Groundwater migration: Contamination spread to private drinking water wells in the surrounding Atwater community
• Surface water runoff: PFAS-contaminated foam migrated through drainage systems to nearby properties

Long-term Castle AFB residents and workers face particularly elevated health risks due to prolonged exposure duration and the bio-accumulative nature of toxic chemicals, which build up in the body over time.

Veterans who served multiple tours at Castle AFB or lived in base housing for extended periods accumulated higher PFAS body burdens, increasing their likelihood of developing serious medical conditions years or decades after service.

Current Cleanup Efforts and Environmental Status

The EPA’s Superfund designation in 1987 initiated decades of investigation and remediation efforts at Castle AFB, with the Air Force investing millions in cleanup technologies and providing alternative water sources to affected residents, as detailed in EPA’s site schedule.

Despite these efforts, the persistence of PFAS chemicals means contamination remains a serious concern, with groundwater plumes and contaminated soil continuing to migrate and impact surrounding communities.

The contamination remediation timeline reflects both completed actions and ongoing initiatives:

• 1987: EPA National Priorities List designation triggers formal cleanup requirements.
• 1990s-2000s: Initial site investigations and groundwater monitoring well installation.
• 2006-present: Implementation of pump-and-treat systems for contaminated groundwater.
• 2020: DoD prohibited AFFF use in training exercises, limiting to actual emergencies only.
• 2024: Full phase-out of legacy AFFF planned, replacement formulations under development.
• 2025-beyond: Long-term monitoring and emerging treatment technologies deployment.

Current remediation technologies face limitations in addressing PFAS contamination, as these “forever chemicals” resist breakdown and require specialized treatment methods that remain costly and incomplete.

The Air Force continues investing in advanced treatment systems including granular activated carbon filtration and ion exchange technologies, yet complete remediation may take decades given the extensive contamination and PFAS persistence in the environment.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1) in November 2023, representing the highest level of scientific certainty regarding cancer causation and risks to human health.

Multiple peer-reviewed studies and meta-analyses have documented increased cancer risks and other serious health conditions among populations exposed to elevated PFAS levels like those found at Castle AFB, according to ATSDR health effects research.

Primary Qualifying Conditions for Compensation

Kidney cancer and testicular cancer represent the strongest compensable conditions, with comprehensive meta-analyses showing an 18% increased kidney cancer risk (RR=1.18) from overall PFAS exposure and a 74% increased risk (RR=1.74) among those with high-level exposure.

The landmark C8 Science Panel, which evaluated health effects following a major PFAS contamination settlement, established probable causal links between PFOA exposure and six specific conditions that form the foundation for current litigation against chemical manufacturers.

Primary conditions with established causal links to PFAS exposure include, but are not limited to:

• Kidney cancer: 18% increased risk overall, up to 74% for high-level exposure
• Testicular cancer: Over 100% increased risk (RR=2.22) for high-level exposure
• Thyroid disease: Disruption of thyroid hormone production and increased disease incidence
• Ulcerative colitis: Odds ratio of 1.60 per unit increase in log PFOA levels
• High cholesterol: Consistent elevation across multiple population studies
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension (pre-eclampsia): Increased risk for exposed pregnant women

These conditions qualify for compensation because extensive epidemiological research, including studies of over 69,000 people in the C8 Health Project, has established clear causal relationships between PFAS exposure and disease development.

The consistency of findings across multiple populations and the dose-response relationships observed strengthen the scientific evidence supporting claims against manufacturers of these dangerous chemicals.

If you or a loved one developed any of these conditions after exposure at Castle Air Force Base, you may qualify to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine your eligibility to file a PFAS contamination claim today.

Secondary Health Effects and Emerging Evidence

Beyond the primary qualifying conditions, researchers have identified additional health impacts including liver damage with potential progression to cancer, immune system dysfunction reducing vaccine effectiveness, and developmental delays in children exposed in utero or during early childhood.

Recent 2024-2025 studies from the Environmental Working Group have expanded understanding of PFAS carcinogenicity, with all 26 fluorinated chemicals studied displaying characteristics of known human carcinogens, as reported by VA public health research.

Researchers are investigating these secondary conditions for potential PFAS associations:

• Liver cancer: Emerging evidence of hepatotoxicity and cancer progression.
• Prostate cancer: Increased risk noted in high-exposure populations.
• Bladder cancer: Under investigation in current epidemiological studies.
• Pancreatic cancer: Listed among PFAS-associated cancers in recent reviews.
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: PFOA and PFOS exposure linked to increased NHL risk.

Ongoing research continues expanding the list of PFAS related illnesses, with major cancer research institutions investigating connections between exposure and various malignancies.

Medical Evidence Required for Your Claim

Comprehensive medical evidence forms the foundation of successful PFAS claims, requiring diagnosis records from board-certified physicians, complete treatment history including chemotherapy or surgical interventions, and ideally blood tests showing elevated PFAS levels above general population baselines.

While blood testing provides powerful evidence of exposure, the persistence of PFAS in the human body means testing remains valuable years after leaving Castle AFB, as noted in ATSDR toxicological profiles.

Your PFAS exposure claim may be strengthened by the following medical documentation:

• Pathology reports: Confirming specific cancer diagnosis with staging information.
• Medical records: Complete treatment timeline from diagnosis through current status.
• Blood serum PFAS testing: Showing elevated levels of PFOA, PFOS, or other PFAS compounds.
• Physician statements: Medical opinions linking your condition to PFAS exposure.
• Imaging studies: CT scans, MRIs, or other diagnostic imaging supporting diagnosis.
• Laboratory results: Including tumor markers, liver function tests, or thyroid panels.

PFAS compounds have established half-lives in the human body, with PFOA persisting for approximately 2.7 years, PFOS for 3.4 years, and PFHxS for 5.3 years, making blood testing valuable even years after exposure ended.

Veterans who left Castle AFB decades ago may still show detectable PFAS levels, particularly if they experienced high-intensity exposure through firefighting duties or consumed contaminated water for extended periods.

To qualify for compensation in the Castle Air Force Base PFAS lawsuit, plaintiffs must demonstrate at least one cumulative year of exposure at the base between the 1970s and 1995, along with a diagnosis of a qualifying health condition linked to PFAS exposure.

Both military personnel and civilian populations affected by base contamination may pursue compensation through individual lawsuits or participation in the ongoing AFFF multidistrict litigation (MDL-2873), which continues accepting new cases in 2025 through the legal process, as documented in VA exposure information.

Military Personnel and Veterans Eligibility

Veterans who served at Castle AFB for at least one cumulative year during the AFFF use period (1970s-1995) and subsequently developed qualifying conditions meet the primary eligibility criteria for filing claims.

Service time need not be continuous—multiple assignments totaling one year qualify, recognizing that military careers often involve transfers between installations while still accumulating PFAS exposure at contaminated bases.

Veterans currently receiving VA disability benefits for PFAS-related conditions can pursue civil litigation without affecting their VA compensation, as confirmed by recent VA guidance and federal court decisions.

This dual recovery recognizes that VA benefits address service-connected disabilities while civil lawsuits compensate for corporate defendants’ failure to warn about known chemical dangers.

Family Members and Civilian Workers

Spouses and children who lived in base housing at Castle AFB qualify for compensation if they meet exposure duration requirements and developed PFAS-related health conditions, recognizing that families consumed the same contaminated water as service members.

Additionally, civilian employees, contractors, and other non-military personnel who worked on base face similar exposure risks and maintain equal rights to pursue compensation through the litigation process with assistance from an experienced legal team.

Family members of deceased veterans may file wrongful death claims if the veteran died from PFAS-related conditions such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, or other qualifying illnesses.

These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the profound impact of losing a loved one to preventable chemical exposure in affected communities.

Time Limits and Statute of Limitations

California’s two-year statute of limitations for toxic tort claims begins when plaintiffs discover or reasonably should have discovered their injury’s connection to PFAS exposure, not necessarily when the exposure occurred.

This “discovery rule” recognizes that PFAS-related cancers often develop decades after exposure, making immediate awareness of causation impossible for most plaintiffs.

Important statute of limitations factors for PFAS claims may include:

• Discovery rule extensions: Clock starts when diagnosis links to PFAS exposure, not at diagnosis.
• Tolling provisions for minors: Children’s claims may extend until age 18 plus two years.
• Federal preemption issues: Military personnel may have additional protections under federal law.
• Wrongful death timelines: Two years from date of death, with limited exceptions.
• Settlement participation windows: Global settlements often have strict claim filing periods.

Recent diagnoses require immediate legal consultation even if exposure occurred decades ago, as courts continue interpreting how statutes of limitations apply to emerging PFAS litigation with evolving scientific evidence.

If you believe your family qualifies based on Castle AFB exposure, contact TruLaw using the chat on this page for an instant case evaluation to determine your eligibility and connect with experienced attorneys who understand the unique challenges military families face.

Our PFAS Contamination attorney at TruLaw is dedicated to supporting clients through the process of filing a PFAS Contamination lawsuit against responsible parties.

With extensive experience in chemical exposure cases, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman and our partner law firms work with litigation leaders to prove how toxic PFAS chemicals in water supplies caused you harm.

TruLaw focuses on securing compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, lost income, and ongoing health monitoring resulting from your PFAS exposure.

We understand the health and environmental impacts of PFAS exposure on your life and provide the personalized guidance you need when seeking justice.

Meet the Lead PFAS Contamination Attorney at TruLaw

Meet our lead PFAS Contamination attorney:

• Jessica Paluch-Hoerman: As founder and managing attorney of TruLaw, Jessica brings her experience in product liability and personal injury litigation to her client-centered approach by prioritizing open communication and personalized attention with her clients. Through TruLaw and partner law firms, Jessica has helped collect over $3 billion dollars on behalf of injured individuals across all 50 states through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

How much does hiring a PFAS Contamination lawyer from TruLaw cost?

At TruLaw, we believe financial concerns should never stand in the way of justice.

That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis—with this approach, you only pay legal fees after you’ve been awarded compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one experienced health complications from exposure to PFAS-contaminated water that include forms of cancer, immune disorders, liver damage, or thyroid disease, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a PFAS Contamination Lawsuit today.

PFAS contamination lawsuits are being filed by individuals nationwide who experienced health problems from exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water, including those harmed at Castle AFB and other military bases.

TruLaw is currently accepting clients for the PFAS contamination lawsuit.

A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your PFAS contamination lawsuit include:

• If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay: The PFAS contamination lawyers at TruLaw and our partner firms operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you win.
• Expertise: We have decades of experience handling toxic exposure cases similar to the PFAS contamination lawsuit.
• Successful Track Record: TruLaw and our partner law firms have helped our clients recover billions of dollars in compensation through verdicts and negotiated settlements.

If you or a loved one suffered health problems related to PFAS-contaminated water, you may be eligible to seek compensation.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive a free consultation that can determine if you qualify for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit today.