At the moment, the PFAS level in the environment of Fort Gordon does not exceed the current safe exposure limit. Still, the concentration of PFOA and PFOS is significantly over the new safe exposure limits proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency. These chemicals are the most harmful out of the PFAS group, as they have a strong association with cancer. While the PFOA level exceeds the new safe exposure limit by 1,375 times, the PFOS level eclipses it by 145 times. Veterans and family members who spent time at Fort Gordon should keep a close eye on their health and seek medical attention as soon as they notice unusual symptoms, as they are at high risk of developing a serious disease.
What toxic agents are lurking on Fort Gordon?
Right now, PFAS are the only contaminants polluting the environment of Fort Gordon. Nevertheless, their presence alone is enough to endanger the health of service members currently stationed there. Veterans and family members who lived at the military base are also at risk of coming to struggle with a disease, as exposure to PFAS usually results in a disease within several years to several decades from the first contact with these chemicals.
The source of PFAS on nearly all military bases nationwide, including Fort Gordon, is firefighters using the dangerous fire suppressant AFFF. With each use, it releases tremendous amounts of “forever chemicals” into the environment, where they can persist for over a thousand years. PFAS are difficult to remove, even with the most advanced technologies. A sliver of hope for service members is that the Pentagon announced it will cease using AFFF by 2024.
What diseases can you develop following toxic exposure at Fort Gordon?
Veterans and family members who intend to file a claim for toxic exposure at Fort Gordon should know that only certain diagnoses might deem them eligible. This is because, even if toxic exposure can be responsible for many health problems, only some diseases have a strong connection with it. Even if you have a qualifying diagnosis, you might still not be entitled to compensation, as there are other criteria you must meet. The following are the diagnoses for which veterans and family members who spent at least one cumulative year at Fort Gordon might be eligible to file a claim:
If you are unsure about whether you are eligible to file a military base toxic exposure claim, we encourage you to contact our attorneys, who have been handling this kind of claim for over 30 years. The legal process is simple and will require minimal involvement on your part, as we understand that struggling with one of the above diseases can be overwhelming. We will carefully evaluate your case to determine if you are entitled to financial compensation, and eligible individuals will promptly have their claims filed to obtain the money they deserve.