Muñiz Air National Guard Base PFAS Lawsuit

PFAS Contamination at Muñiz Air National Guard Base

Located at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Muñiz Air National Guard Base serves as the home of the 156th Airlift Wing, providing strategic airlift capabilities throughout the Caribbean region.

For decades, the base has relied on Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) containing toxic PFAS chemicals for firefighting training exercises and emergency response operations, leading to environmental contamination that now threatens service members and surrounding communities.

Recent testing has revealed combined PFAS levels reaching around 3,000 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt.

Contamination Levels and Testing Results

Environmental testing conducted in 2019 revealed alarming concentrations of PFAS chemicals at Muñiz ANGB, with PFOS measured at 11,000 ppt and PFOA at 2,300 ppt (representing levels 2,750 and 575 times higher than the EPA’s legally enforceable standards).

These measurements place Muñiz among the most severely contaminated military installations in the United States and its territories, highlighting the urgent need for remediation and medical monitoring for exposed populations.

PFAS levels detected at Muñiz Air National Guard Base include, but are not limited to:

• PFOS: 11,000 ppt (2,750 times higher than EPA’s 2024 limit of 4 ppt)
• PFOA: 2,300 ppt (575 times higher than EPA’s 2024 limit of 4 ppt)
• PFHxS: 4,100 ppt (410 times higher than EPA’s 2024 limit of 10 ppt)
• PFHpA: 2,600 ppt (no federal MCL established)
• PFNA: 400 ppt (40 times higher than EPA’s 2024 limit of 10 ppt)
• PFBS: 230 ppt (no individual MCL; regulated under Hazard Index)
• Combined PFOS/PFOA: 13,300 ppt (3,325 times EPA maximum)

The persistence of these “forever chemicals” means that contamination will continue affecting human health and the environment for decades without aggressive intervention.

Each military service member, civilian employee, and family member who consumed contaminated water or worked with AFFF faces heightened risks of developing serious health conditions linked to PFAS exposure.

Sources of PFAS Contamination on Base

The primary source of PFAS contamination at Muñiz Air National Guard Base stems from decades of using AFFF for aircraft fire suppression systems and regular firefighting training exercises at designated burn pits throughout the installation.

Since the 1970s, military firefighters have conducted routine training drills using these fluorinated foams to combat potential aircraft fuel fires, releasing thousands of gallons of PFAS-laden runoff into the environment.

PFAS chemicals from foam applications have infiltrated soil and groundwater systems through multiple pathways, including direct application during training, equipment testing, hangar deluge system discharges, and emergency response incidents.

The unique chemical properties of PFAS compounds – designed to resist heat, water, and oil – make them extraordinarily persistent in the environment, earning them the designation of “forever chemicals” that accumulate rather than break down naturally.

Geographic Scope of Contamination

PFAS contamination at Muñiz ANGB extends beyond the immediate firefighting training areas to affect multiple zones across the installation, including aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities, and administrative buildings where personnel work and live.

Testing has identified contamination plumes in groundwater systems that flow beneath the base, potentially affecting drinking water wells and surface water bodies used by both military and civilian populations.

The base’s location within Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport creates additional contamination concerns, as PFAS-laden groundwater can migrate through Puerto Rico’s porous limestone geology, potentially reaching nearby residential communities in Carolina and surrounding municipalities.

The island’s tropical climate, characterized by heavy rainfall and frequent storms, accelerates the spread of contamination through surface runoff and infiltration.

The unique hydrogeological features may create preferential flow paths that extend the contamination’s reach far beyond the base boundaries.

If you or a loved one served at Muñiz Air National Guard Base and developed cancer or other serious health conditions after PFAS exposure, you may be eligible to pursue financial 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 Muñiz Air National Guard Base PFAS lawsuit today.

Legal Process and Compensation Options

Pursuing a PFAS lawsuit for exposure at Muñiz Air National Guard Base involves specific legal procedures designed to help victims secure fair compensation while holding responsible parties accountable for environmental contamination.

The litigation landscape has evolved with multidistrict litigation (MDL) consolidation streamlining thousands of similar cases, creating opportunities for both individual plaintiffs and groups to seek justice efficiently.

Steps to File Your PFAS Lawsuit

The journey toward compensation begins with a free consultation where experienced PFAS attorneys review your military service history, medical records, and exposure timeline to determine the strength of your potential claim.

During this consultation, legal teams assess whether your time at Muñiz ANGB and health conditions meet the criteria for litigation, providing honest assessments about case viability and potential outcomes.

The PFAS lawsuit filing process follows these sequential steps:

• Free Initial Consultation: No-cost case evaluation to assess exposure history and medical conditions
• Documentation Gathering: Collection of military records, medical documentation, and water quality reports
• Formal Case Filing: Submission to District Court with bellwether trials scheduled for October 2025
• Discovery Phase: Exchange of evidence, depositions, and expert report deadlines through October 8th
• Settlement Negotiations: Judge urging defendants to settle before October 2025 bellwether trials
• Resolution Through Settlement or Verdict: 3M settlement payments began Q3 2024, continuing through 2036

Most PFAS attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no upfront costs and legal fees only come from successful settlements or verdicts, typically ranging from 33-40% of the total recovery.

This arrangement ensures that military families and veterans can pursue justice regardless of their current financial situation, with law firms advancing all case costs including expert witnesses, medical evaluations, and litigation expenses until resolution.

Types of Compensation Available

PFAS lawsuit compensation encompasses both economic damages that reimburse specific financial losses and non-economic damages that address the broader impact of toxic exposure on victims’ lives.

Economic damages include quantifiable costs such as past medical expenses for cancer treatment or thyroid medication, future medical care projections, lost wages during treatment periods, and diminished earning capacity for those unable to return to previous employment levels.

Recoverable damages in PFAS lawsuits fall into these primary categories:

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: Ongoing treatment costs and projected future care requirements
• Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: Income losses and diminished ability to work due to illness
• Pain and Suffering Compensation: Non-economic damages for physical and emotional distress
• Loss of Consortium for Spouses: Family relationship impacts from illness
• Diminished Quality of Life: Lifestyle limitations from PFAS-related conditions
• Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: Psychological impact of diagnosis
• Punitive Damages Against Manufacturers: Penalties for knowing concealment of PFAS health risks

Non-economic damages recognize the profound personal toll of PFAS-related illnesses, compensating for physical pain, emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the psychological impact of cancer diagnoses or chronic health conditions.

In cases involving particularly egregious conduct by PFAS manufacturers like 3M, DuPont, and Chemours, who allegedly knew about health risks but continued producing and selling AFFF, courts may award punitive damages designed to punish corporate wrongdoing and deter future environmental contamination.

Lawsuit Status and Timeline

The PFAS litigation landscape has consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the District of South Carolina, where Judge Richard Gergel oversees thousands of cases involving AFFF contamination at military bases nationwide (including air force base installations).

Recent developments include preliminary approval of massive settlements, with 3M agreeing to pay between $10.3 and $12.5 billion to resolve water supplier claims, while DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva reached a combined $1.185 billion settlement for public water systems.

Individual personal injury cases follow a different track from water supplier settlements, with bellwether trials scheduled for October 2025 serving as test cases that will influence future settlement values and litigation strategies.

Based on similar toxic exposure litigation patterns, individual PFAS settlements are projected to range from $75,000 to $180,000 for mid-tier cases involving conditions like ulcerative colitis or immune disorders.

In contrast, top-tier cases involving kidney cancer, testicular cancer, or other severe conditions may achieve settlements of $150,000 to $375,000 or more, depending on factors such as age at diagnosis, exposure duration, and impact on quality of life.

The settlement ranges mentioned above represent general projections based on historical patterns in similar chemical exposure litigation.

These figures are preliminary estimates provided by legal experts and should not be interpreted as guaranteed outcomes.

Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation specific to your circumstances.

If you or a loved one served at Muñiz Air National Guard Base and are concerned about PFAS exposure, taking action now can protect your health and legal rights for the future.

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 Muñiz Air National Guard Base PFAS lawsuit today.

Health Risks Associated with PFAS Exposure

The scientific community has established clear links between PFAS exposure and serious health consequences that can manifest years or decades after initial contact with contaminated water.

These “forever chemicals” accumulate in the human body over time, with half-lives ranging from several years to over a decade, meaning that even limited exposure at Muñiz Air National Guard Base could lead to long-term health impacts.

Being aware of these risks is vital for service members, civilian employees, and families who may have unknowingly consumed PFAS-contaminated water or worked with firefighting foams containing these toxic substances.

Primary Health Conditions Linked to PFAS

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and recent epidemiological studies, PFAS exposure has been definitively linked to several types of cancer, with kidney cancer and testicular cancer showing the strongest associations, particularly with PFOA exposure commonly found in AFFF.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has classified these cancer risks as having “sufficient evidence of an association,” meaning the scientific consensus supports a causal relationship between PFAS exposure and cancer development.

Medical conditions meeting PFAS lawsuit criteria feature these evidence-based diagnoses:

• Kidney Cancer – Primary focus of first October 2025 bellwether trial
• Testicular Cancer – Part of bellwether pool with kidney cancer cases
• Thyroid Disease – Includes hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and nodules
• Ulcerative Colitis – Tier 2 discovery track for separate bellwether selection
• Liver Cancer – Subject of June 20, 2025 MDL science day
• High Cholesterol – Hyperlipidemia linked to cardiovascular dysfunction
• Preeclampsia – Pregnancy-induced hypertension from maternal exposure

Beyond cancer risks, PFAS chemicals directly cause immune system dysfunction, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections and decreasing antibody responses to vaccines – particularly concerning for military personnel who require robust immune protection.

Thyroid disorders represent another major health concern, as PFAS disrupts hormonal regulation, leading to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other endocrine system dysfunctions that affect metabolism, energy levels, and overall health.

Secondary Health Effects and Emerging Research

Recent research has identified additional health impacts from PFAS exposure that extend beyond the primary conditions, including reproductive complications such as decreased fertility, pregnancy-induced hypertension, low birth weight, and preeclampsia in women exposed to contaminated water.

Studies from the Environmental Working Group have documented significantly reduced infant birth weight associated with maternal PFAS exposure, with each 1 ng/mL increase in blood PFOA or PFOS levels corresponding to measurable reductions in fetal growth.

Cardiovascular effects represent an emerging area of concern, as PFAS exposure correlates with increased cholesterol levels, elevated triglycerides, and changes in bile acid metabolism that may predispose individuals to heart disease later in life.

Neurological research suggests potential links between PFAS exposure and developmental delays in children, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes, though these associations require further investigation to establish definitive causal relationships.

Vulnerable Populations at Higher Risk

Pregnant women and developing fetuses face exceptional vulnerability to PFAS exposure because these chemicals readily cross the placental barrier, accumulating in fetal tissue and potentially disrupting developmental processes during gestation.

Studies have detected PFAS in cord blood samples, demonstrating direct fetal exposure that can impact growth, immune system development, and long-term health outcomes for children born to mothers who consumed contaminated water at military installations.

Children represent another high-risk population due to their higher water consumption relative to body weight, developing organ systems, and longer lifetime exposure potential compared to adults who encounter PFAS later in life, with research showing increased risk of health issues throughout their development.

Long-term base residents and workers, including military families who lived on Muñiz ANGB for extended periods, face cumulative exposure risks as PFAS bioaccumulates in their bodies over years of consuming contaminated water, potentially reaching threshold levels that trigger serious health problems decades after initial exposure.

Eligibility Requirements for Filing a Lawsuit

Determining eligibility for a PFAS lawsuit related to Muñiz Air National Guard Base exposure requires meeting specific criteria regarding time spent on or near the installation and documented health conditions linked to PFAS contamination.

Legal requirements extend beyond active-duty military personnel to encompass family members, civilian employees, contractors, and residents of nearby communities who relied on contaminated water sources.

Qualifying Individuals and Exposure Criteria

To qualify for a PFAS lawsuit related to Muñiz ANGB contamination, individuals generally must demonstrate at least one cumulative year of residence or employment on the base or within one mile of the installation after 1970, when AFFF use became widespread.

This timeframe requirement recognizes that PFAS exposure effects are dose-dependent and that meaningful contamination levels typically result from sustained contact with affected water sources rather than brief visits or temporary assignments.

Categories of individuals who may qualify for PFAS litigation include, but are not limited to:

• Active Duty Service Members – Stationed at Muñiz Air National Guard Base during the relevant exposure period
• Military Dependents – Lived in base housing potentially impacted by contaminated water
• Civilian Employees and Defense Contractors – Worked on base facilities with PFAS exposure risk
• Puerto Rico Air National Guard Personnel – Served at Muñiz Air National Guard Base with potential occupational exposure
• Residents of Nearby Communities – Used contaminated wells within a one-mile radius of the base
• Frequent Visitors – Documented long-term exposure due to regular presence on base or nearby areas

Temporary duty assignments, deployments, and training rotations count toward the cumulative exposure requirement when properly documented, allowing service members who spent non-consecutive periods at Muñiz ANGB to aggregate their total time.

Special consideration applies to firefighters, aircraft maintenance personnel, and others who directly handled AFFF, as their occupational exposure may qualify them for claims even with shorter duration assignments due to the intensity of their contact with PFAS-containing foams.

Required Medical Diagnoses for Claims

Successful PFAS litigation requires documented diagnosis of specific health conditions scientifically linked to PFAS exposure, with certain cancers and chronic diseases receiving primary consideration based on epidemiological evidence.

Plaintiffs must provide medical records establishing both the diagnosis and treatment history, demonstrating that their conditions align with recognized PFAS-related health effects rather than unrelated medical issues.

Primary qualifying medical conditions for PFAS lawsuits include, but are not limited to:

• Kidney Cancer – Strongly associated with PFAS exposure, particularly PFOA, in epidemiological studies
• Testicular Cancer – Linked to PFAS exposure with limited/suggestive evidence supporting causation
• Thyroid Disease – Includes hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid nodules, reflecting PFAS impact on hormonal regulation
• Ulcerative Colitis – Chronic inflammatory bowel condition connected to immune system effects of PFAS
• Liver Damage or Elevated Liver Enzymes – Indicates hepatic toxicity related to PFAS accumulation
• High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia) – Elevated lipid levels tied to PFAS-induced metabolic disruption
• Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension or Preeclampsia – Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy potentially linked to maternal PFAS exposure

Secondary conditions currently under consideration include liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, and certain autoimmune disorders, though these may require additional supporting evidence to establish causation.

Medical experts recommend obtaining second opinions and comprehensive diagnostic testing to strengthen claims, particularly for conditions where the PFAS connection remains under scientific investigation but shows promising associations in recent studies.

If you served or lived at Muñiz Air National Guard Base and developed any of these qualifying conditions, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses and suffering.

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 Muñiz Air National Guard Base PFAS lawsuit today.

How Can A PFAS Contamination Attorney from TruLaw Help You?

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, reproductive harm, and ongoing health monitoring resulting from your PFAS exposure.

We recognize 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.

TruLaw: Accepting Clients for the PFAS Contamination Lawsuit

PFAS contamination lawsuits are being filed by individuals nationwide who experienced health problems from exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water on many military installations.

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.