Engineers for Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies (ECT2), discuss a water filtration system being used to remediate PFAS from groundwater at the fire training area of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio on Sept. 29, 2020. U.S. Air Force personnel from the 88th Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Group are leading the pilot study of new remediation techniques that can remove and destroy the PFAS. (Air Force photo by Ty Greenlees) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
By: FEDweek StaffThe Defense Department is reportedly making progress cleaning up so-called “forever chemicals” that linger in water, soil and air for years and potentially sicken people who are exposed to them, the government’s top watchdog agency stated in a recent report. However, the Government Accountability Office believes that more detailed information about the overall effort should be provided.
“DoD hasn’t given Congress details on or examples of what’s driving costs relating to PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) investigations and cleanup,” GAO stated in a Feb. 24 report. “We recommend it do so to better inform future funding decisions.”
These chemicals and substances, to include firefighting foams, have been used on military installations for years. Noting that service members, their families, and nearby communities all could face health threats due to exposure to them, GAO cited estimates that it could cost as much as $9.3 billion in fiscal 2025 (ending Sept. 30) and into future years. The projected figure, the report stated, could be as much as three times higher than previous estimates.
“GAO found that costs will continue to increase as DoD learns more about the extent of its PFAS releases – including the breadth and depth – through remedial investigations and determines what cleanup actions are required,” the report stated.
The agency stated that the Pentagon has fallen short in providing “the full range of cost variables for future PFAS cleanup” to Congress. Lawmakers need this information, the report stated, in order to determine future funding needs for cleanup efforts.
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