Dyess Air Force Base PFAS Lawsuit

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at Dyess Air Force Base present a serious health concern for military personnel, their families, and surrounding communities.

The base has reported alarmingly high PFAS contamination levels, with measurements reaching up to 2,052,000 parts per trillion (ppt), far exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2024 drinking water standard of 4 ppt.

The contamination at Dyess is approximately 30,000 times higher than what is considered safe for human exposure.

This extensive pollution stems primarily from decades of using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for firefighting training and emergency responses.

Medical Conditions Associated with PFAS Chemicals

The accumulation of PFAS chemicals in the human body can trigger numerous adverse health outcomes, especially with prolonged exposure through contaminated drinking water.

According to research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to reproductive issues such as decreased fertility and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Several important studies have linked PFAS exposure to a range of medical conditions:

• Kidney cancer and testicular cancer
• Thyroid disease and disrupted hormone function
• Liver damage and elevated cholesterol levels
• Decreased immune system response, including reduced effectiveness of vaccines
• Pregnancy-related complications
• Developmental delays in children
• Ulcerative colitis

Research conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has also found connections between PFAS exposure and altered metabolism, body weight regulation, and increased risk of childhood obesity.

For military personnel and families stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, these health risks are particularly concerning due to the extremely high contamination levels present on the installation.

Scientific Evidence Supporting PFAS Health Risks

The body of scientific evidence connecting PFAS exposure to adverse health outcomes has grown substantially in recent years.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), studies with animals have demonstrated that PFAS exposure can cause damage to the liver and immune system, along with low birth weight, birth defects, and delayed development.

Multiple authoritative health organizations have reviewed the scientific data regarding PFAS:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified PFAS as an immune hazard based on high-quality evidence
• The National Toxicology Program concluded that two types of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, suppress antibody response
• The Environmental Protection Agency established strict drinking water standards for PFAS in April 2024
• The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry confirms links between PFAS and changes in liver enzymes, cholesterol levels, and immune function

Research from the National Cancer Institute found a link between serum PFOS levels and testicular cancer among military servicemen, especially among firefighters and those serving at bases with high PFAS contamination in water supplies.

This finding is particularly relevant to Dyess Air Force Base where PFAS levels are exceptionally high.

The scientific community continues to study these chemicals, but the weight of evidence now clearly points to meaningful health hazards from exposure.

The legal implications of these findings are substantial, with many affected individuals now pursuing claims.

Law firms are actively investigating the potential for PFAS litigation against manufacturers who may be responsible for contamination at and around military sites like Dyess Air Force Base.

For those who have suffered health effects after exposure to PFAS-contaminated water at Dyess, legal options may be available to seek compensation.

Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas, faces major challenges with water quality due to high concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These human-made chemicals, used in firefighting foams at military installations for decades, have infiltrated groundwater on and around the base.

Testing Results for PFAS in Local Drinking Water Supplies

Recent analysis shows deeply troubling levels of PFAS in water sources at Dyess Air Force Base.

According to 2024 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, PFAS levels in the base’s water exceed regulatory limits.

The presence of these chemicals raises serious health concerns for those consuming this water.

Dr. Graham Peaslee, a physicist at Notre Dame University, warns that “everybody drinking that water is drinking water with PFAS concentrations significantly above levels that the EPA have decreed are the maximum allowable in drinking water.”

The contamination profile includes multiple PFAS compounds:

• In 2017, PFOA levels measured 96,000 times higher than the EPA standard of 4 parts per trillion
• PFOS levels were 42,750 times higher than the standard
• Combined PFOS and PFOA levels measured 112,050 times above the EPA’s limit
• Testing identified eight distinct types of PFAS in the drinking water

The extreme levels found at Dyess make it one of the most contaminated military installations in the country.

The primary source appears to be decades of using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for firefighting training and emergency responses, with chemicals gradually seeping into groundwater supplies.

Air Force Response to Water Contamination Concerns

The Department of Defense (DoD) has acknowledged the widespread PFAS problem at military installations across the country, including Dyess Air Force Base.

Through September 2024, the DoD identified 722 active military installations, Base Realignment and Closure locations, National Guard facilities, and Formerly Used Defense Sites that require assessment for PFAS use or potential release.

The military’s approach to handling the contamination involves:

• Conducting Preliminary Assessments/Site Inspections, which form the first phase of the cleanup process
• Prioritizing sites to move forward in the cleanup process based on risk assessment
• Determining appropriate cleanup actions through the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process
• No longer using AFFF for maintenance, testing, or training on DoD installations worldwide
• Using AFFF only for emergency events, with each use treated as a spill to limit environmental effects

For affected areas like Dyess, the DoD has stated they will “initiate interim actions to address private drinking water wells impacted by PFAS from DoD activities where concentrations are known to be at or above three times the Maximum Contaminant Levels.”

These remediation efforts face criticism for moving too slowly.

In July 2024, the EPA and U.S. Army announced a joint project to conduct sampling and testing of private drinking water wells near military installations, which would inform remedial actions if results show PFAS contamination.

The legal action primarily targets the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals and AFFF, including companies like 3M, DuPont, and Chemours, rather than the military itself.

These manufacturers are accused of knowing about the health hazards associated with their products but failing to warn users or the public about these risks.

Individuals who successfully file PFAS contamination claims related to Dyess Air Force Base may be entitled to various forms of compensation:

1. Medical Expense Coverage: Compensation can help cover costs associated with diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for PFAS-related health conditions.
2. Pain and Suffering: Damages may be awarded for physical pain, emotional distress, and decreased quality of life resulting from PFAS-related illnesses.
3. Lost Income: If your health condition has affected your ability to work, you might receive compensation for lost wages and reduced earning capacity.

For those concerned about potential PFAS exposure at Dyess Air Force Base, contacting a specialized attorney is the first step toward pursuing compensation.

Most law firms handling these cases offer free consultations and case evaluations to determine eligibility.

U.S. Military Base Water Contamination: Nationwide PFAS Exposure

PFAS contamination extends well beyond Eaker Air Force Base, affecting hundreds of military installations across the United States.

The widespread use of AFFF firefighting foam has created a national contamination crisis at bases operated by all branches of the armed forces.

Additional military installations that contain PFAS contamination include, but are not limited to:

• England Air Force Base
• Air National Guard Base
• Warren Air Force Base
• Sawyer Air Force Base
• Rock Air Force Base
• Altus Air Force Base
• Ellsworth Air Force Base
• Holloman Air Force Base
• Cannon Air Force Base
• Wurtsmith Air Force Base
• Vandenberg Air Force Base
• Grand Prairie Armed Forces
• Horsham Air Guard Station
• Tyndall Air Force Base

Testing at these facilities has revealed PFAS levels that frequently exceed safety standards by significant margins.

The Department of Defense faces growing pressure to expedite cleanup efforts, provide alternative water sources for affected communities, and take responsibility for decades of contamination.

Coordinated remediation plans now represent one of the largest environmental cleanup challenges in U.S. military history.

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

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.

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 an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit today.