The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) conducted a nationwide study to assess public exposure to PFAS and possible health effects related to exposure in 2019. CDC/ATSDR conducted research at select sites throughout the country, including Airway Heights, Wash. Airway Heights was selected for assessment due to contamination that occurred at Fairchild Airforce Base. Learn more about PFAS here.
Public exposure to PFAS has been an increasing concern because of multiple sites throughout the United States where PFAS-contaminated drinking water has been found, typically related to PFAS production facilities or fire training areas where aqueous film forming foam (firefighting foam) was used.
In 2019, CDC/ATSDR conducted exposure assessments in eight communities throughout the United States associated with current or former military sites where PFAS exposure occurred, including Airway Heights. The assessment measured PFAS levels in the blood and urine of study volunteers who were exposed to contaminated drinking water in the past. Researchers then compared the findings to PFAS levels found in the general U.S. population to determine rates of exposure. The results of this assessment are provided in the first link below.
If you participated in the Airway Heights PFAS Exposure Assessment, you may have received a letter from CDC/ATSDR regarding your results. If you have questions about your results, please consider speaking with your doctor. You may also email questions and concerns to PFAS@CDC.gov or Arthur Wendel, Region 10 Regional Representative for ATSDR at dvq6@cdc.gov.
For more information about PFAS, see the following resources:
PFAS contaminated groundwater was identified in Airway Heights in 2018. The source of contamination was Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used at Fairchild Airforce Base (FAFB) to extinguish petroleum fires. The Air Force had used AFFF containing PFOS and PFOA since the 1970s. These legacy AFFF have since been phased out in favor of more environmentally responsible formulas, which FAFB began using in 2017. Because PFOS and PFOA dissolve easily in water, these substances were able to leach into the soil and contaminate nearby groundwater.
The Air Force conducted investigative work and introduced mitigation strategies in the area, which are guided by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), applicable state laws, and EPA health advisory levels. These efforts include sampling many private drinking water wells in the area over the last several years within a specific boundary area near Airway Heights and FAFB.
To see the affected areas, learn more about Air Force efforts, or contact FAFB directly to request sampling or to verify that your residence is eligible for sampling, contact the Fairchild Air Force Base Public Affairs office at 509.247.5705.
If you have other questions about PFAS contamination and remediation at FAFB, please see this FAQ.
