In 2016, Tony Spaniola received a notice informing him that his family shouldn’t drink water drawn from the well at his lake home in Oscoda, Michigan. The Air Force had showered thousands of gallons of firefighting foam onto the ground at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, which eventually leached into the soil and contaminated the groundwater. Alarmed by this, Spaniola started investigating the issue. “The more I looked, the worse it got,” he said. Two years ago, he co-founded the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, a coalition focused on holding polluters like the military and a factory making waterproof shoes accountable for cleaning up the “forever chemicals” they’ve left behind. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of nearly 15,000 fluorinated chemicals used in various products since the 1950s, such as clothing and food containers. They are also used in firefighting foam and do not break down over time, leading to contamination of drinking water and food sources. Research has linked PFAS to various health issues, including cancer, heart and liver problems, developmental problems, and more.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is one of the largest users of firefighting foam and acknowledges the need to clean up contaminated sites. Some locations, like Wurtsmith, have recorded concentrations of PFAS over 3,000 times higher than previously considered safe levels by the agency. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now considers even small amounts of certain PFAS compounds, like PFOA and PFOS, to be unsafe. Recently, the EPA enacted the first PFAS drinking water regulations, limiting exposure to these chemicals at the lowest detectable levels. Additionally, PFOA and PFOS have been designated as “hazardous substances” under the federal Superfund law, making it easier to hold polluters responsible for cleanup costs.
To meet these regulations, nearly all of the 715 military sites and surrounding communities under investigation for PFAS contamination will require remediation. Efforts to clean up contaminated sites like Wurtsmith have been challenging, with factors like the speed of cleanup and interim actions to prevent exposure coming into question. Spaniola and other advocates believe that the current cleanup process is too slow and inadequate.
The history of PFAS contamination dates back to the 1960s when AFFF firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals was developed in partnership with 3M and the Defense Department. Throughout the years, millions of gallons of this foam have entered the environment, leading to contamination at 710 military sites across the country. Internal documents from 3M and the U.S. Navy show early concerns about the harmful effects of PFAS, yet their widespread use continued.
Residents of Oscoda testified about health impacts from PFAS contamination, leading to a settlement in Michigan in 2023 with manufacturers like 3M and Dupont. Despite growing pressure on the military to address contamination, the DOD maintains it is not legally liable for these actions. States have implemented additional requirements to treat PFAS in municipal water systems, but private well owners remain at risk, with many relying on contaminated water sources.
The recent EPA designation of PFOA and PFOS as “hazardous substances” under the Superfund law may not immediately assist communities financially. Private well owners and small public water systems can access funding to address contamination, but individual states must work with regional EPA offices to develop plans for funding. While the new regulations set by the EPA are a win for public health, the process of remediation and cleanup for PFAS contamination remains a complex and ongoing issue for affected communities nationwide.
