The PFAS level at the military facility does not exceed the current safe exposure limit of 70 ppt. Still, according to the recently proposed new safe exposure limit, the concentration of PFOA, one of the most harmful chemicals out of this group, is very high. More specifically, it eclipses the new safe exposure limit by 6,250 times. Even exposure to small amounts of PFAS can result in a disease, so veterans and family members who lived at Bangor Training Site should keep a close eye on their health.
What toxic agents are present on Bangor Training Site?
At the moment, the only contaminants of concern lurking on Bangor Training Site are PFAS. Nevertheless, their existence is enough to pose a health threat to service members training and living there. The longer a person stays at the military facility, the more likely they are to develop a serious disease associated with toxic exposure. Out of the PFAS group, which includes over 9,000 chemicals, PFOA and PFOS are the most dangerous, as they have a strong connection with cancer.
The source of “forever chemicals” on Bangor Training Site is military firefighters using AFFF, a highly toxic fire suppressant that releases PFAS with each use. It can sometimes contain up to 98% of these hazardous chemicals. A sliver of hope for service members is the announcement of the Pentagon, according to which AFFF will be replaced with PFAS-free firefighting foam by 2024. While this will prevent further contamination, removing the chemicals from the environment of military bases will take decades.
What diseases can you develop following toxic exposure at Bangor Training Site?
It is important for veterans and family members to know that they can file a military base toxic exposure claim only for certain diagnoses. Because there must be a strong connection between their illness and toxic exposure, only some diagnoses can deem them eligible for compensation. Even if they have a qualifying disease, they might still not be able to file a claim, as there are other requirements they have to meet. These are the diagnoses for which veterans and family members who spent one cumulative year or longer at Bangor Training Site can file a claim:
With over 30 years of experience in pursuing compensation for toxic exposure victims, our attorneys will gladly evaluate your case to help you determine whether you are eligible to file a claim. Although the legal process is very complex and tedious, we will strive to simplify it for you, as we understand that struggling with one of the above diseases can be physically and emotionally draining. If you are eligible, we will file your claim as soon as possible, as we prioritize veterans and family members, especially if they have cancer.