The Navy is researching new types of firefighting foam free of contaminants that were found in well water near a landing field used by fighter jets and in water systems near several other military installations around the country, according to a congressional watchdog report.
Firefighting foam is used by the Defense Department to quickly extinguish fires and prevent them from reigniting, but the foam used since the 1970s has contained perfluorinated compounds.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t regulate those compounds, but it considers them an “emerging contaminant” that could threaten health or the environment. The EPA is studying the contaminants to determine whether regulations for acceptable levels are needed. A provisional health advisory level is in place for now.
Other studies have shown that exposure may cause elevated cholesterol levels and low birth weight in humans.
Naval Air Systems Command, the Naval Research Laboratory in Arlington and a private firefighting foam manufacturer each are researching the development of a PFC-free firefighting foam, which the Defense Department believes would reduce the environmental impact of training while keeping personnel safe.
Another three homes are undergoing quarterly monitoring to ensure contaminant levels remain below the EPA’s provisional limits.
The Navy reported it spent more than $20 million investigating whether PFCs were in the water near 47 installations, and spent about $24 million on mitigation efforts at or near five of those, including $3 million at Fentress.