The level of PFAS at the military facility exceeds the current safe exposure limit by nearly 3 times. Out of this group of chemicals, PFOA and PFOS are the most harmful, as they have a strong association with cancer. According to the recently proposed new safe exposure limits for these contaminants by the Environmental Protection Agency, their concentration at Guam U.S. Naval Activities is very high. More specifically, the PFOA level exceeds the new safe exposure limit by 1,200 times, whereas the PFOS level eclipses it by 2,900 times. Veterans and family members who stayed at this military installation should keep a close eye on their health, as they are at high risk of developing a serious disease.
What toxic agents are present on Guam U.S. Naval Activities?
Currently, the only known contaminants lurking on this military facility are PFAS. Nevertheless, their presence alone is enough to pose a major health threat to service members stationed there. It is worth noting that PFAS exposure usually causes a disease within several years to several decades following the first contact with these chemicals, which means veterans are also at high risk of coming to struggle with a terrible illness. AFFF, the fire suppressant whose use is responsible for PFAS contamination, contains between 50% and 98% “forever chemicals,” which makes it very dangerous.
Since 1967, when the U.S. Navy and the 3M company devised its formula, AFFF has been widely used by military firefighters for jet fuel and petroleum fires. With each use, the fire suppressant released tremendous amounts of PFAS into the environment. A sliver of hope for service members on active duty is the Pentagon announcing it will phase out AFFF and replace it with PFAS-free firefighting foam by 2024. This will prevent further toxic contamination, but nearly 700 military bases will remain heavily polluted, and it will take decades for their environment to be completely safe.
What diseases can you develop following toxic exposure at Guam U.S. Naval Activities?
While toxic exposure can be the culprit behind many diseases, veterans and family members who are seeking legal recourse should know that only certain diagnoses might deem them eligible. This is because a strong connection must exist between their illness and toxic exposure, a connection that can also be supported by medical literature. Even with a qualifying diagnosis, you might still not be entitled to compensation, as your case must meet other requirements. These are the diseases for which those who spent at least one cumulative year at Guam U.S. Naval Activities can file a claim:
If you are unsure about whether you are eligible to file a military base toxic exposure claim, do not hesitate to get in touch with our attorneys, who have over 30 years of experience in these cases. They will carefully assess your situation to determine whether you are entitled to financial compensation. We prioritize the claims of veterans and family members, particularly if they have cancer, as we are well aware that many struggle financially due to the high cost of treatment. If you are too ill to participate in the legal process, our compassionate team will go to great lengths to accommodate you.
