Following the war, March Air Force Base became quiet, but after the assault on Pearl Harbor, it was once again manned. Thousands of military soldiers were housed at the site during the twentieth century's conflicts, and it is still operational today. The facility is now managed by the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, with personnel from all branches of the military involved.
Located on a 7,123-acre site, March Air Force Base has been used for aircraft maintenance and repair, refueling operations, and training since 1918. As a consequence of site operations, hazardous chemical pollution of soil and groundwater occurred. In the late 1980s, three zones of groundwater contamination were discovered underneath the base, and wells on the base were shuttered and effectively destroyed. To prevent groundwater migration off-site, the off-site plume is being monitored, and a groundwater containment system was erected. The site's long-term cleanup is ongoing.
What toxic agents are lurking on March Air Force Base?
Over the years, March Air Force Base undertook fire-training exercises that included the use of several formulations of fire-extinguishing chemicals, including aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). AFFF's hydrophobic and surfactant characteristics were enhanced by the addition of perfluorinated compounds, enabling it to quickly seal over burning fuel and prevent re-ignition after a fire was extinguished.
The primary constituents in AFFF, PFOS, and PFOA, are non-biodegradable, which means that nothing in nature can break down the chemical's strong elemental bonds, making them very harmful to human health. AFFF makers were aware or should have been aware that PFAS contained in firefighting foam were harmful; despite this knowledge, these companies continued to manufacture and market AFFF foams without disclosing the related health risks. Firefighting foam producers may be responsible for your PFAS injuries if they were negligent in their product development or failed to notify the public about the dangers.
However, PFAS-based firefighting foam is not the sole source of environmental crises on military installations. Additional pollutants detected in groundwater and soil tests include the following:
- heavy metals
- jet fuel
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
What health problems can exposure to PFAS on military bases cause?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent in the environment, bioaccumulative in animals and humans, and potentially harmful even at trace doses. They have been linked to a number of illnesses and disorders in both adults and children, including higher cancer risks, autoimmune disorders, and developmental issues.
If you developed any of the following diseases while you were stationed on this military base for 1 cumulative year or longer please contact us:
Given the devastating effects of toxic poisoning on people, it is necessary to seek the advice of a skilled attorney for assistance in navigating the complicated legal aspects that emerge when filing a toxic exposure claim. Please contact us if you are a woman who was stationed at March Air Force Base, either with your husband or as a female member of the military while pregnant and gave birth to a baby with serious health conditions, as you may be entitled to compensation.
