The water on the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms contains potentially harmful levels of chemicals that are higher than deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a report released in March by the Department of Defense. The Pentagon issued a report last month to the House Armed Services Committee that shows that two of the five wells tested on the Combat Center had levels of perfluoro octane sulfonate and perfluoro octanoic acid that were five to six times higher than the EPA’s 70 parts per trillion lifetime health advisory levels. The EPA lowered the standards from 200 and 400 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA in 2009. PFOS and PFOA chemicals are used in many industrial and consumer products, such nonstick cookware, fabric waterproofing, fast food wrappers—and in the foam used to put out aircraft fires. Studies show PFOS/PFOA may be associated with developmental delays in fetuses and children; decreased fertility; increased cholesterol; changes to the immune system; and prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer. While the guidelines of 70 parts per trillion are not enforceable, a Pentagon spokeswoman said the Department of Defense is working to find solutions, such as providing filters or bottled water as needed. However, she added that clean up will take years and could cost billions of dollars. A spokeswoman for the Combat Center said in a Facebook post Saturday that “Results of laboratory testing show [the Combat Center] has no contamination of the groundwater. Sampling results were below the laboratories [sic] ability to detect perfluorinated compounds. All sample results/data have been reported to HQMC as required.”
UPDATED 7 a.m. Monday with comments from a base spokeswoman and links to the report.
https://tinyurl.com/combat-center-water
or
https://partner-mco-archive.s3.amazonaws.com/client_files/1524589484.pdf
