Andrews Air Force Base got its name from a former Commanding General of US Forces during World War II, named Frank M. Andrews, and it is mainly known as the Air Force One home base of operations. Located in Maryland, Prince George's County, the Base merged with Naval Air Facility Washington in 2009 and became one collective facility, Joint Base Andrews. As of 2020, the 316th Wing is the host unit at Andrews, providing security, airfield management, personnel, infrastructure support, and further services for five wings, three headquarters, hundreds of organizations and branches, and tens of thousands airmen and their families worldwide.
A thorough site investigation determined the presence of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) deriving from AFFF, a firefighting agent used for extinguishing petroleum and jet fuel fires. The toxic chemicals at Andrews Air Force Base exceeded the environmental lifetime health advisory levels.
The station is the 99th on the Environmental Working Group's list of the top 100 most polluted military bases. The last test performed onsite in 2019 revealed a PFAS concentration of 34,500 parts per trillion and detected PFOAs, PFOS, and PFBS. In all identified areas, the current cleanup activities, aside from the already conducted short-term removal actions, involve long-term solutions, like groundwater monitoring and treatment or land use control.
The chemicals that aqueous film-forming foam contains are highly toxic, and the medical conditions they inflict are catastrophic. Andrews Air Force Base is a Superfund site that the Environmental Protection Agency deemed contaminated and a significant health risk.
Among the harmful agents involved in the EPA cleanup at Andrews Air Force Base were petroleum and hazardous chemicals. The primary contaminants are PFAS, a group of carcinogenic substances known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistent nature. They include PFOAs, PFOS, and PFBS, and all are extremely difficult to break down in the environment and the body.
Toxic exposure represents a threat to human health and natural habitat, and it occurs in time. The chances of developing an exposure-related disease are higher if your time spent on Andrews Air Force Base is longer. Consulting a doctor and performing medical investigations are essential steps in the early detection of the disease.
PFAS exposure through the use of AFFF is connected to a wide range of severe medical conditions, including cancer. The diseases that qualify you for filing a claim if you were stationed at Andrews Air Force Base are:
Our legal specialists are always prepared to help you file a PFAS claim if you were diagnosed with one of the likable diseases. If you are a veteran or a family member who came to struggle with a disease due to being stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, we will help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
10 Minutes Over the Phone
*No fees unless compensation is obtained