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The contaminants, known as PFAS, are also called “forever” chemicals because they stay in bodies for many years and have been linked to potentially serious health problems.
In many cases, the source of PFAS in the groundwater is likely past use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in the area. At airports and military bases, the foam is used as a fire suppressant to extinguish flammable liquid fires such as fuel fires.
The studies are being led by the federal Centers for Disease Control. One study will measure the effect of tainted water on humans in 11 townships in Bucks and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania, primarily near military bases.
Health impacts of PFNA are less known, however, some studies have shown that PFAS may:
- Adversely affect growth, learning, and behavior of infants and children
- Lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
- Interfere with the body’s natural hormones
- Increase cholesterol levels
- Affect the immune system
- Increase the risks for some cancers
The studies are being done at the following sites:
Bucks County and Montgomery County Biomonitoring Pilot near Former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, active Horsham Air Guard Station, and former Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania.
Pilot studies have begun in Montgomery and Bucks counties near the Willow Grove and Warminster sites, including the towns of Ambler, Horsham, Hatboro, Chalfont, Warminster, Jamison, Warrington, and North Wales. Here, the study of PFAS includes public questionnaires, household dust analysis and urine and water sampling.
Additional details can be found by clicking here.
Former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Groundwater at the former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster site is contaminated with PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The source of PFAS in the groundwater is likely past use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in the area. At airports and military bases, the foam is used as a fire suppressant to extinguish flammable liquid fires such as fuel fires.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Navy tested private drinking water wells in the Warminster, Ivyland, Warwick, Northampton and upper Southampton townships. Some wells are contaminated with PFAS. Wagter test results can be found by clicking here.
Former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) Willow Grove and active Horsham Air Guard Station, Horsham, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Groundwater at the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove and active Horsham Air Guard Station is contaminated with PFAS (per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Some public water supply wells in Horsham and Warrington Townships are contaminated with PFAS. Also private wells in those towns and Warminster. The drinking water is being treated to remove PFAS (per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The source of PFAS is likely past use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used as a fire suppressant in the area.
Naval Support Center in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Cumberland County
The Department of the Navy is evaluating PFAS (per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in groundwater at this location. The Navy conducted an off-base PFAS private well sampling program in 2019.
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