The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the first national drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals.
These new regulations aim to reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people and prevent thousands of deaths and serious illnesses by focusing on drinking water supplies.
Michigan has been at the forefront of PFAS regulation, often implementing stricter standards than federal guidelines.
The Air Force’s efforts to address PFAS contamination have been a critical part of these regulatory changes.
For Wurtsmith AFB specifically, state regulators have called for maximum levels of 0.02 ppt for PFOS and 0.004 ppt for PFOA, significantly lower than previous standards.
The EPA’s regulation requires public water systems to monitor for these chemicals and take immediate action when levels exceed these limits, with additional requirements for industrial discharge limits and wastewater treatment.
Health Effects of PFAS Exposure: Symptoms & Conditions
Scientific research has linked PFAS exposure to numerous serious health conditions, particularly concerning for communities around Wurtsmith AFB where contamination levels far exceed safety standards.
According to medical studies and health agency documentation, PFAS exposure can lead to:
- Bladder cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Immune system dysfunction
- Liver damage
- Reproductive issues
- Developmental effects
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Other serious health conditions
The severity and likelihood of these health effects correlate with both exposure levels and duration.
For communities around Wurtsmith AFB, where PFAS levels have been documented at up to 213,000 parts per trillion, these health risks are particularly significant.
Potential Defendants in PFAS Lawsuits
Several major manufacturers and chemical companies face legal action for their role in PFAS contamination at military installations including Wurtsmith AFB.
Primary PFAS manufacturers include, but are not limited to:
- 3M Company
- DuPont (and its spinoff, Chemours)
- Tyco Fire Products
- Chemguard
- Kidde-Fenwal
- National Foam
- Buckeye Fire Equipment
These companies manufactured PFAS chemicals despite allegedly knowing about their potential health risks.
The lawsuits argue that these manufacturers continued producing and selling PFAS-containing products without adequate warnings about their dangers or proper guidance for safe disposal.
Military bases like Wurtsmith AFB used AFFF containing PFAS chemicals from these manufacturers for decades in firefighting operations and training exercises, leading to widespread contamination of soil and groundwater.