The VET PFAS ACT promises major healthcare expansion for exposed veterans
Special to the Press
Toxic exposure contributes largely to cancer diagnoses in veterans. Among the many poisonous agents that drive up the toll on our service members’ health are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known more commonly as ‘forever chemicals’. These compounds have earned their nickname due to their high potency and low toxicity threshold; they last in the environment for many years and trigger life-threatening diseases even at minimal exposure.
Over 700 U.S. military bases have been contaminated by PFAS, exposing countless veterans to these dangerous chemicals through drinking water and firefighting foam used over decades. Prolonged exposure to PFAS has devastating health consequences, leading to an increased risk of developing cancer, along with other severe health issues.
PFAS health impacts on veterans
PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals totaling around 15,000, and versatile enough to be adopted by key industries, including consumer products, aerospace, chemical manufacturing, textiles, automotive, military, and firefighting. The military industry recognized the advantages of PFAS in fire suppression applications due to their water resistance, thermal stability, and film-forming ability. These properties made Aqueous Film-Forming foam (AFFF) very effective against flammable liquid fire. A few years after its inception in the 1960s, AFFF became universal, and it was used on all air bases, naval vessels, and training facilities.
But more recently, while AFFF and other PFAS-based products have been praised for their effectiveness, research suggests that frequent and prolonged exposure to PFAS raises the risk of cancer. Higher kidney cancer incidence and mortality have been observed among chemical plant workers and residents of PFOA-contaminated areas. This particular 2023 study observed the most common type of cancer in active-duty U.S. servicemen: testicular cancer. Focusing on a cohort of Air Force servicemen, the researchers pioneered an investigation that found a clear connection to PFAS exposure. The authors investigated 530 cases of testicular cancer, and 530 cancer-free matched controls. They indeed concluded that the higher the levels of PFOS, a variant of PFAS, the greater the risk of testicular cancer, specifically among firefighters or those who were stationed at bases with water contamination.
Though research is underway, the currently available peer-reviewed studies validate that exposure to certain levels of PFAS could result in reproductive problems such as reduced fertility, low birth weight, and other severe developmental issues in children. PFAS may also weaken the immune system’s ability to respond to infections and vaccines. Additionally, PFAS exposure is linked to thyroid disease, including changes in hormone levels, liver damage, and high cholesterol.
Alabama impact of the VET PFAS Act
Currently, 377,000 veterans in Alabama call the state home. Regrettably, the state is among those whose military bases and population have been severely affected. The bases include Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), and Sumpter Smith Air National Guard at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Given the staggering contamination levels detected in these areas, all veterans who were stationed here are at risk of developing diseases from PFAS exposure. The Environmental Working Group’s 2020 report highlighted the disturbing extent of contamination, with PFAS levels far exceeding the EPA’s advisory limits. Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base has recorded a level of 122,000 parts per trillion (ppt) – more than 30,500 times the EPA’s advisory limit. Fort Novosel stood at a similar height with 104,000 ppt, while Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base had 45,000 PFOS and PFOA levels.
How the act tackles PFAS-related health problems for veterans
The current claims process discourages many veterans from applying for benefits because they know the challenges of proving service connections for their conditions. They must present extensive documentation of medical records and expert opinions, a path that is too time-consuming and expensive. This might change with the newly proposed VET PFAS Act, which would relieve them from collecting all this evidence and automatically entitle them to benefits if they have PFAS-related health issues and are served at a site known for PFAS use.
The act secures care for conditions ranging from high cholesterol and thyroid disease to testicular cancer and pregnancy-induced hypertension. By cutting down the bureaucracy, this bill will offer a smoother path toward medical care compensation and respect after years of service in hazardous environments that were overlooked until recently.
About the Author:
Jonathan Sharp is a Chief Financial Officer responsible for case evaluation, financial analysis, and assets management at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. The law firm headquartered in Birmingham, AL, assists victims of toxic exposure, predominantly civilian and military firefighters.
