The level of “forever chemicals” at the military facility is 43 ppt, which does not exceed the current safe exposure limit of 70 ppt. Nevertheless, according to the new safe exposure limits proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentrations of PFOS and PFOA at the military installation are high. These are perhaps the most harmful chemicals out of this group, as they have a strong connection with cancer. Specifically, the PFOS level exceeds the new safe exposure limit by 950 times, while the PFOA level eclipses it by 900 times. Veterans and family members who spent time at Sharpe Army Depot should closely monitor their health, as they are at high risk of coming to suffer from a serious disease.
What toxic agents are present at Sharpe Army Depot?
At the moment, PFAS are the only toxic agents lurking in the environment of the military facility. Still, their presence alone is enough to endanger the health of service members stationed there, as even exposure to low concentrations of “forever chemicals” can result in a terrible disease. It is important to mention that exposure to PFAS usually causes a disease within several years to several decades from the first contact with the chemicals, so veterans are also at risk of developing crippling illnesses.
The existence of PFAS at Sharpe Army Depot and other 700 military installations across the country is due to firefighters using AFFF, a fire suppressant containing tremendous amounts of these substances. While it is very effective in putting out petroleum and jet fuel fires, AFFF is highly toxic. A sliver of hope is the Pentagon announcing it will stop using it within the military by 2024. Even though this will prevent further contamination, nearly all military bases nationwide remain contaminated with PFAS.
What diseases can you develop following toxic exposure at Sharpe Army Depot?
Exposure to toxic chemicals on military bases can result in a myriad of health problems. However, veterans and family members who intend to file a claim 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 evidence. Even with a qualifying diagnosis, you might still not be entitled to compensation, as there are other requirements you must meet. The following are the diagnoses that might deem you eligible to file a claim if you spent one cumulative year or longer at Sharpe Army Depot:
With over 30 years of experience, our skilled attorneys can help you find out whether you are eligible to file a military base toxic exposure claim. The legal process is easy for veterans and family members, as we are aware that struggling with one of the above diseases can be overwhelming. Eligible individuals will promptly have their claims filed, as we prioritize the cases of veterans and family members, especially if they have cancer. If you worry that you are too ill to participate in the process, this should not be a cause for concern, as our compassionate team will do all in its power to accommodate you.