Kevin Ferrara, AFSO21
Within many communities across the country, especially those near former and current US military installations lurks a hidden hazard, and you most likely do not even know it is there.
This hidden hazard, a toxic pollutant, is PFAS, short for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances which are found in products like waterproof cosmetics, certain food packaging, waterproof clothing, older non-stick cookware, carpeting, and firefighting foam such as AFFF, short for Aqueous Film Forming Foam.
Used by military firefighters since the 1960s, AFFF smothers liquid fuel fires, particularly those involving aircraft. Those who used AFFF were misled by the Department of Defense (DoD) and manufacturers like 3M and DuPont into believing the product was safe, often told it was just soap and water. Various FOIA requests revealed the DoD knew AFFF, since the early 1970s, was toxic and later found to cause tumors in lab animals. That information was never given to those who used the foam, military firefighters.
Of the thousands of DoD firefighters who used AFFF during training or emergencies; many are dealing with various forms of cancer like kidney, testicular, and ovarian, as well as other medical illnesses and reproductive and immune deficiencies. We are still learning the extent of short and long-term damage AFFF has on the human body and so far, the information is alarming.
Many former and current military members, especially firefighters, ask why they or their families got sick. Sadly, for some, their time has run out; losing their battle to survive, their bodies ravaged by cancer as their families are left asking why their loved ones had to die. The DoD and foam manufacturers knew AFFF was toxic for decades, remaining silent and ignoring demands for answers.
The FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included a provision for mandatory, annual blood testing for DoD firefighters, both military and civilian. Unfortunately, it did not include provisions for former DoD firefighters such as retirees or those who served less.
It has been a struggle for many former military firefighters to get their blood tested; often told by the Veterans Affairs or their civilian healthcare providers a blood test for PFAS does not exist or is not needed. Many doctors are unaware of what PFAS is. It has taken me over a year to research and learn a PFAS blood test exists and that Tricare will pay for it, but only for PFOA, otherwise known as Perfluorooctanoic acid; one chemical in the PFAS group linked to cancer. Imagine how many who succumbed to cancer due to repeated exposure to AFFF may have survived if their blood was tested early on and treatment was provided.
Over 678 US military installations have or are suspected of having elevated levels of PFAS contamination in groundwater or drinking water due to AFFF. Therefore, it is imperative the FY 2021 NDAA includes a provision mandating everyone on a military installation, not just DoD firefighters, receive PFAS blood testing.
In addition to mandating PFAS blood testing for everyone, Congress must work with Federal agencies like the CDC and others affiliated with the medical community who have the power to establish and legislate detectable PFAS levels in the blood. Healthcare professionals cannot adequately assess their patient’s risks of cancer or other debilitating medical illnesses without a baseline level to monitor. Doctors routinely test for high levels of Cholesterol and provide medical monitoring, so, why can’t they do so for PFAS?
Our Congressional Representatives have an ethical obligation to serve and protect their constituents, using every resource available. With the leadership and support of Congressional members like Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), co-chairs of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, as well U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the PFAS blood testing provision in the FY 2020 NDAA can be significantly enriched with FY 2021 provisions that would include all individuals who have repeated exposure to PFAS as well as establishing a PFAS blood level monitoring program and registry system. With bipartisan support, Congress and the DoD can begin the healing process many have been waiting over fifty years for.
Retired Air Force Master Sergeant and former military firefighter Kevin Ferrara is the owner of AFSO21 LLC who works with many environmental coalitions to address AFFF and PFAS contamination and its impact on individuals and the environment.
