Photo By Capt. Andrew Layton | Officials at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base are awaiting the final report for an...... read more read more
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BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – Officials at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base are awaiting the final report for an investigation earlier this year into potential groundwater contamination stemming from past firefighting activities on the installation.
The on-base environmental sampling was conducted between April 16 and May 11, 2018. The data is currently being analyzed for accuracy at the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C.
A separate, off-base investigation was also conducted by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to identify risk to private drinking water wells in the area.
In 1970, the Air Force began using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), believed to have been the most efficient extinguishing method for petroleum fires. AFFF was widely used across the firefighting industry, to include all commercial airports, for protection of people and property.
AFFF was used at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base for its intended purpose, to include both real-world and firefighting training activities.
In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a health advisory for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfanate (PFOS), two compounds found in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). PFOS and PFOA are together referred to as members of the Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) family of chemicals.
The Air National Guard has since replaced legacy firefighting foam at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base with a new, more environmentally responsible formula that contains no PFOS and only trace amounts of PFOA. Currently, fire protection services at W.K. Kellogg Airport are managed by the City of Battle Creek.
Following investigation work and mitigation actions guided by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Air National Guard is using data and site information to map potential underground pathways to drinking water in the locations potentially impacted by contaminants.
If PFAS concentrations are found to exceed the EPA's health advisory, an expanded site investigation will be initiated, identifying appropriate steps toward clean-up or mitigation. The Air National Guard will also assist in identifying alternate drinking water sources for residents affected by concentrations beyond the EPA's health advisory.
If some PFAS levels are detected that remain below the health advisory level, well monitoring will continue as needed to track changes and determine where further action is needed.
The final report for Battle Creek Air National Guard Base’s PFAS investigation is expected to be publicly released by late August.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2018 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 284799 |
| Location: | BATTLE CREEK, MI, US |
| Hometown: | BATTLE CREEK, MI, US |
| Web Views: | 246 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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