EPA and U.S. Army Join in PFAS Sampling Project
In July 2024, the U.S. Army and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the start of a joint project to sample and test drinking water wells near Army installations for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The project will investigate 235 locations to see if PFAS levels are above the maximum contaminant levels established by the EPA.
What Are PFAS?
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic chemicals that have a carbon-fluorine bond, making them extremely difficult to degrade in the environment. They have been widely used in manufacturing and consumer products around the world since the 1950s. A few examples of how PFAS are used include:
- Adding non-stick coating on packaging or cookware
- Making clothes and carpets resistant to stains
- Creating more effective firefighting foam
Because the chemicals do not break down in the human body, PFAS exposure can lead to serious health concerns. According to the EPA, PFAS have been linked to cancers, effects to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damages to children.
David M. Uhlmann, the assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance at the EPA, said “PFAS pose significant risks to drinking water supplies and public health, which is why the EPA and the Army are testing water from wells in communities near Army installations to determine if these dangerous forever chemicals are polluting drinking water.”
About the EPA-Army Sampling and Testing Project
The EPA-Army sampling and testing project will test drinking water and groundwater for PFAS at 235 different locations near military installments, starting with nine priority installations. If PFAS levels are reported to be above acceptable contaminant levels, the Army will “work to assess what actions are needed to mitigate PFAS exposure,” according to the EPA.
The first nine installations to be sampled include:
- Fort Novosel
- Fort Hunter Liggett – Parks Reserve Forces Training Area
- Fort Stewart
- Fort Stewart – Hunter Army Airfield
- Blue Grass Army Depot
- Fort Campbell
- Fort Liberty
- Fort Sill
- McAlester Army Ammunition Plant
The installations are across seven states: Alabama, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Oklahoma. The agencies will evaluate additional installations after the initial work is finished, according to the EPA.
What Has the EPA Done About PFAS?
In recent years, the EPA launched its PFAS strategic road map to control PFAS substances at their source, hold polluters accountable, and advance environmental justice. In addition, the EPA has taken other steps to protect communities from PFAS exposure, such as establishing national regulatory limits on PFAS in drinking water and dedicating billions of dollars to addressing PFAS and other water contaminants through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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