PFAS at Military Bases: What Veterans Need to Know
Thousands of US military veterans were exposed to PFAS chemicals through drinking water at their installation. This guide explains what PFAS are, which base types carry the highest risk, what the EPA’s current limits mean, and how to connect with VA health resources.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. There are thousands of PFAS compounds, but they all share a carbon-fluorine bond — one of the strongest chemical bonds in nature. That stability is why PFAS are called “forever chemicals.” They do not break down in the environment or in the human body.
PFAS entered military water supplies primarily through AFFF — aqueous film-forming foam. AFFF was the standard firefighting agent for Class B fires (fuel and jet fuel fires) used by the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Army from the 1970s onward. It was used in training exercises, aircraft crash drills, and fire suppression at airfields. When foam soaked into the ground or was washed into storm drains, PFAS moved into soil and groundwater.
PFAS are water-soluble, meaning they travel easily through soil into aquifers and wells. Contamination that started at a fire training area 30 years ago may have spread well beyond the original site.
Which Base Types Carry the Highest Risk
Not all military installations have the same PFAS risk profile. The heaviest contamination is concentrated at locations where AFFF was regularly used in large quantities.
Airfields and Air Stations
Aviation fuel fires are among the most dangerous — and AFFF was used heavily at all military airfields. Aircraft crash pads, fire training areas adjacent to runways, and fuel storage areas are the highest-risk zones. Nearly every major Air Force base and naval air station in the US has some level of PFAS detection.
Fire Training Areas (FTAs)
Dedicated fire training areas are where AFFF was repeatedly applied during drills. These areas accumulated the highest PFAS concentrations. Many FTAs are located near on-base housing or drinking water wells.
Naval Bases and Shipyards
Shipboard firefighting required AFFF, and shipyard fire training used it extensively. Runoff from ship maintenance facilities contributed to PFAS in harbor sediments and nearby groundwater.
National Guard Facilities and Reserve Centers
Guard and Reserve units also used AFFF at their facilities. These installations are often located in civilian communities where contamination can affect public water supplies beyond the base perimeter.
The Pentagon’s Own Count
As of 2024, the Department of Defense has identified more than 700 military installations in the US with confirmed or suspected PFAS releases. This number has grown each year as testing expands. The full list is available in the DoD’s Installation Restoration Program reports.
The EPA’s Current PFAS Limits
In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS in drinking water. These apply to all public water systems in the United States.
| Compound | EPA Limit | Common Source |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) | 4 ppt | AFFF, industrial coatings |
| PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) | 4 ppt | AFFF — primary military PFAS |
| PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | Industrial and replacement PFAS |
Four parts per trillion is an extremely small amount. To put it in context: 4 ppt is equivalent to 4 drops of water in an Olympic swimming pool. The EPA set the limit this low because PFAS bioaccumulate in the body over time — small daily exposures add up over years of service.
The rule gives public water systems until 2029 to comply. If you’re on a private well, these limits do not legally apply, but you can test your water independently through a certified lab.
How to Check if Your Base Is on the EPA List
Several federal databases track PFAS at military installations. Here is where to start:
- 1
EPA PFAS Military Sites List
The EPA publishes a searchable list of military sites with PFAS contamination. Visit epa.gov/pfas and search for your installation by name or state.
- 2
DoD Installation Restoration Program
The Defense Site Environmental Restoration Program (DSERP) tracks cleanup status at military sites. Search by installation name at denix.osd.mil.
- 3
State Environmental Agency
Many states have their own PFAS monitoring programs that include military and civilian sites. Contact your state’s environmental or health department for local data.
- 4
Test Your Current Water
If you currently live near a former military base, testing your tap or well water is straightforward. A certified lab can run a PFAS panel for $150-$400. The EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) can refer you to certified labs in your area.
The VA PFAS Health Registry
The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a PFAS health registry for veterans who may have been exposed during their service. Joining the registry connects you with VA health resources and puts you in contact with VA environmental health coordinators.
How to Enroll
- Online: Visit va.gov and search for “PFAS health registry”
- Phone: Call 1-800-749-8387 (VA Environmental Health Program)
- In person: Contact your local VA medical center’s environmental health coordinator
Enrollment does not automatically create a disability claim. It does document your exposure history, which may be relevant for future claims or studies. Veterans who served at known contaminated sites — such as Camp Lejeune — have additional resources and legal options available to them.
VA PFAS Resources (va.gov)Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out if my military base had PFAS contamination?
The EPA maintains a list of military installations with PFAS contamination at epa.gov/pfas/pfas-contamination-military-sites. The Pentagon also publishes a Defense Site Environmental Restoration Program (DSERP) database. You can also contact your installation's environmental office or request records through a FOIA request.
What is the EPA's maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS?
The EPA finalized maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in April 2024. The limits are 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS individually, and 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX). These are enforceable standards for public water systems. Private wells are not covered but homeowners can test their water independently.
What health conditions are linked to PFAS exposure from military bases?
Research has associated long-term PFAS exposure with increased risk of kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, immune suppression, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. The VA recognizes PFAS exposure as a potential service-connected condition for veterans who served at specific installations. Speak with a VA physician for personalized health assessment.
How do I enroll in the VA PFAS health registry?
The VA offers a PFAS health registry for veterans who may have been exposed. You can enroll online at va.gov or call 1-800-749-8387. Registry participation connects you with VA health resources and puts you in the pool for any future health studies related to military PFAS exposure.
Does PFAS exposure qualify for VA disability benefits?
As of 2026, PFAS exposure from military service is not a presumptive condition under the PACT Act, but the VA evaluates PFAS-related claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans with cancer or other conditions linked to PFAS and a documented history of serving at a contaminated installation may qualify. Consult a VA-accredited claims agent or veterans service organization (VSO) for help with your specific claim.
Next Steps
This page is an informational resource. It does not constitute medical or legal advice. For health concerns related to PFAS exposure, consult a VA physician or your primary care provider.