Photo By 1st Lt. Andrew B Layton | The Air Force will conduct environmental sampling at Battle Creek Air National Guard… read more BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Air Force will conduct environmental sampling at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base in mid-April to assess the potential for drinking water contamination stemming from past firefighting activities.
The sampling is part of the Air Force’s proactive, service-wide investigation to assess potential risk to drinking water from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfanate (PFOS), two compounds found in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).
AFFF is the most efficient extinguishing method for petroleum fires and is widely used across the firefighting industry, to include all commercial airports, for protection of people and property.
As part of the Air Force’s three-step approach — identify, respond, protect — a preliminary assessment was completed in 2015 that identified potential release areas where AFFF was used at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.
The groundwater sampling, which begins April 16th, will verify releases through groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediment sampling.
"We want to test as a precaution, in order to determine if there is need for any further environmental investigation,” said Brown.
The Air Force’s investigation work and mitigation actions are guided by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, applicable state laws, and the EPA’s drinking water health advisory.
“Following the CERCLA process makes certain thorough investigative work is done,” said Teff.
“The process also promotes accountability, community involvement, and long-term protection.” The Air Force has replaced legacy firefighting foam at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base with a new, more environmentally responsible formula that contain no PFOS and only trace amounts of PFOA.
Currently, fire protection services at W.K.