George AFB’s Organochlorine Pesticides Contamination

Danger Pesticides

If you worked, lived, or went to school in a building built before the late 1980s, on George AFB, you were probably exposed to unsafe levels of chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (OCPs).  These OCPs are classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), are toxic chemicals that adversely affect human health and the environment, and the DOD banned their use in the late 1980’s.  Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have created environmental, safety, and legal issues for the DOD.  OCPs were used as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, termiticides, and rodenticides at virtually every military installation in the U.S. In years past, organochlorine pesticides were so widely used to protect DOD structures and infrastructures that they should be presumed present in ALL structures and infrastructures built prior to the late 1980’s when the DOD banned the use of organochlorine pesticides.

In 2002, aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, and lindane were detected in the surface soil at the George AFB Family Housing. In 2005 the Air Force advised the City of Victorville that the levels of pesticides detected at the Base Family Housing “could present a danger to human health if soils are inhaled, ingested, or contacted by skin.” On 1 October 2007, the levels of chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides’ (“OCPs”) and their breakdown products was so high that the Air Force banned the property and housing for residential use. As of 5/22/2017, the Air Force has failed to notify the thousands of former tenants and building occupants of their possible toxic exposure.

2005-02-04 AF - AF to Victorville unsafe levels pesticides George AFB Family Housing.pdf

2007-09-28 AF - Quitclaim Deed George AFB Family Housing.pdf

20012-02-16 AF - Dieldrin Contamination Plumes Upper and Lower Aquifers.pdf

 

Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) Significant Health Effects

According to the US EPA: “Acute and chronic exposure to these pesticides [chlordane, aldrin, dieldrin, and heptachlor] can cause numerous health effects and increase cancer risks. Although dependent on the pesticide and level and duration of exposure, studies on acute and chronic exposures of humans and animals to these pesticides have reported multiple neurologic effects, reproductive/development effects, and damage to the liver and kidneys.”

EPA to Army - Kansas Army Ammunition Plant KSAAP - Pesticides (PDF - 4.15 MB)

Health Effects of Exposure to Chlordane and other Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs)

* Aldrin / Dieldrin

  • CAS ID #: 309-00-2, 60-57-1
  • Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
  • Affected Organ Systems: Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing), Endocrine (Glands and Hormones), Hepatic (Liver), Immunological (Immune System), Neurological (Nervous System)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)
  • In 1987, EPA banned all uses.

* Chlordane

  • CAS ID #: 12789-03-6
  • Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
  • Affected Organ Systems: Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing), Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)
  • In 1988, EPA banned all uses

* DDT, DDE, DDD

  • CAS ID #: 50-29-3, 72-55-9, 72-54-8, 72-55-9,72-54-8
  • Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
  • Affected Organ Systems: Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing), Endocrine (Glands and Hormones), Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System), Reproductive (Producing Children)
  • Cancer Classification: NTP: Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)
  • Its use in the U.S. was banned in 1972

Endosulfan

  • CAS ID #: 115-29-7
  • Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
  • Affected Organ Systems: Endocrine (Glands and Hormones), Hepatic (Liver), Immunological (Immune System), Neurological (Nervous System)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

* Endrin / Endrin aldehyde:

  • CAS ID #: 72-20-8
  • Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
  • Affected Organ Systems: Neurological (Nervous System)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

* Heptachlor/Heptachlor Epoxide

  • CAS ID #: 76-44-8, 1024-57-3
  • Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)
  • Affected Organ Systems: Hepatic (Liver), Neurological (Nervous System)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

* Lindane – Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)

  • CAS ID #: 608-73-1
  • Affected Organ Systems: Hepatic (Liver), Immunological (Immune System), Neurological (Nervous System)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: None

Kepone – Chlordecone

  • CAS ID #: 143-50-0, Mirex 2385-85-5
  • Affected Organ Systems: Neurological (Nervous System), Renal (Urinary System or Kidneys), Reproductive (Producing Children)
  • Cancer Classification: NTP: Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Methoxychlor

  • CAS ID #: 72-43-5
  • Affected Organ Systems: Endocrine (Glands and Hormones), Neurological (Nervous System), Reproductive (Producing Children)
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Toxaphene

  • CAS ID #: 8001-35-2
  • Affected Organ Systems: Endocrine (Glands and Hormones), Hepatic (Liver)
  • Cancer Classification: NTP: Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen
  • Chemical Classification: Pesticides (chemicals used for killing pests, such as rodents, insects, or plants)

Mirex

  • CAS ID #: 2385-85-5, Chlordecone 143-50-0
  • Affected Organ Systems: None
  • Cancer Classification: None
  • Chemical Classification: None

Source accessed on 31 December 2015:  ATSDR – Substance Listing Page

DOD/AF Culpability - OCPs Timeline

1070 – Chlordane Contamination of Govt Quarters and Personal Property Webb AFB

1970 – The Air Force knew that some of the Webb Air Force Base Family Housing units, located in Big Spring Texas, were contaminated with and the occupants exposed to a large quantity of chlordane. The Air Force knew that due to the method used to apply the pesticide, the building design flaw, that a completed exposure pathway (CEP) existed at a large percentage of its tenantable/habitual structures, exposure of the occupants was possible at ALL of the Air Forces’ Family Housing units. This CEP was confirmed by the by the New York Times news article “Chlordane Problem in Houses on Slabs” dated September 30, 1982.

Furthermore, the Air Force knew that there was NO safe level of Chlordane contamination for infants and young children on the surfaces of floors, personal possessions, or Chlordane aerosol and/or vapors.

A substantial quantity of 2% Chlordane insecticide (emulsifiable solution) was introduced into the heating ducts of two Capehart type housing units at Webb AFB, Texas on 12 March 1970. The insecticide was being used as a sub-slab termite control agent in accordance with AFM 85-7(8-16), when it was accidentally introduced into the heating ducts formed within the concrete slab. Several hours after the treatments the heating systems were thermostatically activated and distributed the pesticide as an aerosol and vapors throughout the housing units during the night. Page i

On 12 April 1970, a 2% water-chlordane insecticide solution was accidentally introduced into the heating ducts of two Capehart type housing units at Webb AFB TX. These heating ducts consisted of cardboard lined conduits within the concrete slab. Subsequent activation of the heating systems resulted in extensive human exposure and gross pesticide contamination of government housing and personal possessions.
Page 1

… and virtually undetectable floor residues are necessary if children are to inhabit the quarters.
Page 4

The presence of children in the family requires residue levels of 7.0 ug/ft2 on walls and ceilings and undetectable floor residues.
Page 6

All clothing and furniture should be decontaminated. Stuffed furniture, which will contain higher volumes of pesticides, should be reupholstered or replaced. All clothing should be dry cleaned twice and the dry cleaning solvent properly disposed of in a sanitary landfill. Children’s toys which can be dry cleaned should be where the cash or sentimental value warrants it, others should be replaced.
Page 8

Chlordane Contamination of Government Quarters and Personal Property Webb AFB TX

1978-82 – National Research Council’s Committee on Toxicology

1978-79 – “… the Air Force in 1978 asked the National Research Council’s Committee on Toxicology, in the Board on Toxicology and Environmental Health Hazards, Commission on Life Sciences, to review the toxicity data on chlordane and to suggest an airborne concentration that could be used as a guideline in deciding whether the housing should be vacated.” … “The Committee on Toxicology (NRC, 1979) concluded that it “could not determine a level of exposure to chlordane below which there would be no biologic effect under conditions of prolonged exposure of families in military housing.
Page 1

1982 – “Given the available data and the fact that under conditions of prolonged exposure of families in military housing there may be persons, such as [developing fetuses and] young children, who in general are more susceptible to environmental insults, the Committee concluded that it could not determine a level of exposure to any of the termiticides below which there would be no biologic effects.
Page 46

An Assessment of the Health Risks of Seven Pesticides Used for Termite Control
The National Academy of Sciences and the Office of Naval Research – Aug 1982 – (PDF – 3.82 MB)

1970-81 – Base Housing Contaminated with Chlordane

Over the past several years, the United States Air Force has experienced incidences of living quarters contamination with airborne chlordane. The first noted incident occurred in two houses at a southwestern Air Force base [Webb Air Force Base] (CALLAHAN 1970). … Sampling showed chlordane contamination to be common in those newly constructed houses (unpublished data). …
The most recent incident of chlordane contamination was at a midwestern air base in October 1978. Two ground-floor apartments with subslab heating ducts were involved. …
In the 1979 survey all apartments treated in 1978 showed high concentrations of chlordane with a range of 0.4 to 263.5 pg/M3 (TABLE 2). …
As readily seen, there are many dwellings with detectable chlordane vapor. In this single study, 335 out of 435 treated apartments (77%) had measurable levels of chlordane ranging from trace to 37.8 g/M3. In a previous Air Force survey of 146 houses at various bases, 61% of those houses had detectable levels of chlordane (unpublished data).

Living Area Contamination by Chlordane Used for Termite Treatment
Livingston, J.M. & Jones, C.R. Bull.
Environ. Contam. Toxicol. (1981)
27: 406. doi:10.1007/BF01611040

1981-82 – News Articles – Pesticide Contamination at Military Housing

1981 – “The Army Times and Its companion newspapers reported in today’s editions that thousands of families may have been ex-posed to pesticides while living in military housing. Pentagon spokesman Bill Caldwell said the Defense Department is ‘studying the matter to determine whether or not we should commence a large scale inspection and monitoring program for military housing units’.

Pesticide May Pollute Military Base Housing
The Palm Beach Post – April 27, 1981

1982A pesticide used to kill termites [chlordane] has leaked into the ventilation systems of more than 1,500 houses at United States Air Force bases across the country, according to studies made public recently by the Air Force. The pesticide, chlordane, was found to have entered heating and air-conditioning ducts in dwellings built on concrete slabs, allowing it to circulate in the air freely.

Chlordane Problem in Houses on Slabs
The New York Times – September 30, 1982

1998 – The Preservation of DoD Nonmilitary Health Records

The DoD request a preservation of The extension of the retention period from 25 to 50 years for nonmilitary health records is justified for cogent and compelling medical and humanitarian reasons.

There are potentially major issues facing the Department of Defense in the future on possible adverse health effects in military dependents and other civilian personnel as a result of their exposure to hazardous chemicals and agents known or suspected to be present on Defense installations. Examples of such hazardous materials in the modern military environment include asbestos, chlordane contamination of family housing, chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in installation water supplies, and certain pharmaceuticals such as the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) administered to women during pregnancy.

1988-09-14 DoD NARA - Nonmilitary Health Records – contamination of family housing.pdf

2004 – U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Chlordane Contamination

a. What is Chlordane?
Chlordane was a registered use pesticide applied from around 1948 until 1988. Its primary use was for termite control, but other known uses include application to prevent nesting of fire ants around power transformers; as a herbicide to control weeds in turf; and to control insects on lawns, gardens, and food crops (such as corn). So there are potentially many areas on DoD property, including family housing units, where chlordane may be found as a result of lawful application.

b. How Was Chlordane Used?
High concentrations of chlordane may be found around military housing as a result of lawful application for termite control. To control termites, the chlordane was initially applied to soil prior to construction beneath building foundations. Then it was PWTB 200-1-31 DoD’s pest management practice to routinely reapply chlordane every three to five years thereafter by methods such as treating the perimeter of the foundation by spraying with a rod inserted into the soil, by applying via a small trench dug along the foundation, or by injecting the chlordane through holes drilled in flooring at the periphery of walls. Thus relatively high concentrations of chlordane may have accumulated in these areas over time.

Guidance for Addressing Chlordane Contamination at Department Of Defense Sites
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers – 30 September (2004 PDF 0.09 MB)

DOD Court Cases - Chlordane and other Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs)

Pesticides Contamination – Naval Air Station Alameda (NAS), CA

The Navy failed to disclose the presence chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”)

American International Specialty Lines Insurance Company a general liability insurer, seeks to recover the costs incurred in removing certain hazardous substances–chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”) – from a portion of a former naval installation. Plaintiff alleges that the United States Department of the Navy (“Navy”) failed to notify the property’s purchaser that chlordane and other OCPs were present on the property and that the Navy failed to remediate the chlordane and other OCPs in breach of two contracts between the parties. Plaintiff further alleges that defendant failed to indemnify plaintiff for its remediation costs pursuant to section 330 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, Pub. L. No. 102-484, 106 Stat. 2315, 2371-73 (1992) (codified as amended at 10 U.S.C. § 2687 note (2000)).

– http://www.plainsite.org/dockets/7twdnidz/united-states-court-of-federal-claims/american-international-specialty-lines-insurance-company-v-usa/

Pesticides Contamination – Marine Corps Base Hawaii Family Housing

Plaintiffs are military families who have leased housing from Defendants at Marine Corp Base Hawaii between 2006 to the present. Plaintiffs filed a Class Action Complaint alleging that Defendants failed to provide safe and healthy living conditions. Plaintiffs contend that Defendants had knowledge that the soil at the Marine Corp Base Hawaii was contaminated with pesticides. Plaintiffs claim Defendants did not disclose the presence of the pesticides before leasing housing to the military families. Plaintiffs claim they attempted to mediate their disputes with Defendants pursuant to the terms of their lease agreements, but Defendants refused.

Barber, et al. v. Ohana Military Communities LLC, et al., No. 14-00217 (D. Hawaii).

Pursuing Justice for MCBH Families - Progress Thus Far
Pursuing Justice for MCBH Families: Progress Thus Far
KVHV Radio News Excerpt about MCBH Contamination
KVHV Radio News Excerpt about MCBH Contamination

Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) – Facebook
Military Families Deserve Safe Housing

GAFB Timeline – Chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”)

1998 – ATSDR Public Health Assessment for George Air Force Base

In the Public Health Assessment for George Air Force Base the ATSDR made the following statements:

ATSDR did not identify any completed exposure pathways from George AFB to children at nearby schools or residential areas.” Page 27

Soil at George AFB does not represent an apparent past public health hazard and does not represent a present or future public health hazard.” Page 28

Extracted - Soil No CEP Children Housing / Schools - George AFB PHA (PDF - 204 KB)

2002 – George AFB Housing Pesticide Testing

The Air Force knew that the surface soil under and around the George AFB Family Housing was contaminated with hazardous levels of chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”)

aldrin at 16, 700 μg/kg – 576 x PRG – Sample Depth (ft. bgs): 0.3-0.8
dieldrin at 15,000 μg/kg – 500 x PRG – Sample Depth (ft. bgs): 0.3-0.8
chlordane at 24,100 μg/kg – 15 x PRG – Sample Depth (ft. bgs): 0.5-1
μg/kg: concentrations of chemicals in soil measured in units of the mass of chemical (micrograms, μg) per mass of soil (kilogram, kg)
PRG: residential preliminary remediation goal
ft. bgs: feet below ground surface

George AFB Housing Pesticide Testing - Highest Results Sample Depth (PDF – 95KB)

Extracted Pages AR1773 - George AFB Housing Pesticides Soil (PDF – 147 KB)

2005 – Air Force letter to Victorville Re: unsafe levels of pesticides at base housing

The Air Force has analytical testing data indicating elevated soil contamination levels of the pesticides Aldrin and Dieldrin in the housing area. The Air Force believes that the surface and shallow subsurface soil contamination is pervasive through the housing area, particularly under house foundations. The pesticides could present a risk to human health if soils are inhaled, ingested, or contacted by skin. Any wastes generated by digging must be handled as hazardous until proven otherwise.

AF to Victorville – unsafe levels of pesticides at base housing (PDF - 64 KB)

 

Within the housing area of Former George Air Force Base the pesticides Aldrin and Dieldrin were used to control termites. In 2002 the soil in this area was tested for Organochloride Pesticides and in several locations elevated levels of Aldrin and Dieldrin were detected. In 2005 the Air Force advised the City [of Victorville] that these levels of pesticides may present a danger to human health if soils are inhaled, ingested, or contacted by skin.

SCLA Soil Testing Project CC12-041 (PDF - 709 KB)

2007 – George AFB Family Housing Quitclaim Deed

On 1 October 2007, the Air Force placed the following conditional use clause in the George AFB Family Housing quitclaim deed:

“Grantee covenants and agrees that it will not use, or allow others to use, the Property for residential purposes (including mobile or modular homes), hospitals for human care, public or private schools for persons under 18 years of age, nursery schools, or day care centers for children.”

Quitclaim Deed George AFB Family Housing (PDF - 510 KB)

2014 – Terri K Crooks won her VA C&P Claim for service connected injury for her exposure to OCPs

On 14 April 2014, Terri K Crooks won her VA C&P Claim for service connected injury for her exposure to chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) used at George Air Force Base Family Housing and barracks.

“You have submitted new and material evidence to reopen this claim. While not specifically diagnosed during active military service, we have received objective medical evidence from Dr. xxxx linking your condition to symptoms treated while on active duty as we as probable exposure to toxic chemicals. Dr. xxxx provided that after reviewing your service medical records and substantiating documents regarding toxic chemicals used at George Air Force Base, it was his opinion that your condition was at least as likely as not caused by your military service.”   …

“… Service connection for bilateral mastectomy, residual of breast cancer has been established as directly related to military service. While not specifically diagnosed during active military service, we have received objective medical evidence from Dr. xxxx linking your condition to symptoms treated while on active duty as well as probable exposure to toxic chemicals. Dr. xxxx, provided that after reviewing your service medical records and substantiating documents regarding toxic chemicals used at George Air Force Base, it was his opinion that your condition was at least as likely as not caused by your military service. Your service records confirm your service at George Air Force Base during your period of active military service. There is no objective medical evidence showing that your condition was not caused by your military service. …”

2004-04-22 Terri K Crooks VA C&P Claim George AFB Redacted.pdf

2014 – Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board letter Re: Organochlorine Pesticides (“OCPs”)

On 19 December 2014, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (LRWQCB) issued a Land Use Controls Violation to the Air Force. This violation letter addresses the fact that the Air Force did NOT test the schools for dieldrin before the property was transferred to the Adelanto Unified School District and the Air Force ALLOWED the school to reopen WITHOUT testing for contamination from any of the organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”).

“Concern Regarding George AFB Schools
Another concern related to dieldrin soil contamination is the presence of schools located adjacent to the former housing area; namely, the former George AFB Elementary School and George Junior High (Middle) School. These schools were apparently built during the same time period as the housing units and similar construction procedures may have been followed, including the possible application of pesticides for termite control. These schools were transferred to the Adelanto Unified School District in 1994. The former elementary school is now operated as an adult educational facility called Taylion High Desert Academy. The former middle school is now leased by Adelanto Unified School District to Excelsior Charter School (grades 7-12). Apparently, the soils at these schools have not been tested for dieldrin.

2014-12-19 LRWQCB Dieldrin Land Use Controls Violation GAFB OT-071 .pdf

2017 – Air Force has failed to notify the former base personnel

As of  May 22, 2017, the Air Force has failed to notify the former base personnel, their families, civilian employees, and the surrounding community of their exposure to potentially life-threatening environmental contamination at George AFB’s Family Housing.

George AFB Family Housing – CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions – Chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”)

The Army and Air Force used the chlordane and other organochlorine pesticides (“OCPs”) to protect buildings (pre-1988) against ground termites and other pests at George AFB including the Base Schools, Family Housing, Barracks, and Dorms.

  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to test for these organochlorine pesticides except at the Base Family Housing Units.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to disclose the widespread use of these organochlorine pesticides in the CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions as required by law except for at the Base Family Housing Units.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to test the soils at the former George AFB Elementary School and George Junior High (Middle) School for dieldrin.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to disclose that dangerous levels of aldrin and chlordane were present at the Base Family Housing Units in the CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions as required by law.
  • The DOD and the Air Force failed to disclose the widespread use of these organochlorine pesticides to the ATSDR for its 1998 Public Health Assessment for George AFB. When the ATSDR concluded that there were no completed exposure pathways, the DOD and the Air Force did not correct the ATSDR during the  Peer Review / Public Comments period or after the Public Health Assessment for George AFB was published in 1998.

See: George AFB’s Housing and George AFB’s Schools

George AFB Family Housing – Quitclaim Deed 

George AFB Family Housing:

Warning Sign at GAFB Family Housing - Google Maps
Warning Sign at GAFB Family Housing
  • Sale Price: $718,685.00
  • Transferred the responsibility and liability for the contamination from the Air Force to the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (local taxpayers)
  • CERCLA §120(h) Deed Restrictions – Family Housing
  • Pesticide contamination soil and groundwater  – Dieldrin or other possible pesticide-related constituents (“Pesticides”)

II. CONSIDERATION AND CONVEYANCE

WITNESSETH, THAT in consideration of the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTEEN THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS ($718,685.00), and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantor does hereby release and forever quitclaim to the Grantee all that real property …
Page 2 of 14

VI. CONDITION

B. The Grantee acknowledges that it has inspected, is aware of, and accepts the condition and state of repair of the Property, and that the Property is conveyed, “as is,” “where is,” without any representation, promise, agreement, or warranty on the part of the Grantor regarding such condition and state of repair, or regarding the making of any alterations, improvements, repairs, or additions. The Grantee further acknowledges that the Grantor shall not be liable for any latent or patent defects in the Property, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Page 3 of 14

VII.B. Environmental Restrictive Covenants.

(e) Grantee covenants and agrees that it will not use, or allow others to use, the Property for residential purposes (including mobile or modular homes), hospitals for human care, public or private schools for persons under 18 years of age, nursery schools, or day care centers for children.
Page 5 of 14

VIII. OTHER COVENANTS

  1. Pesticides. The Grantee is warned of the presence of Dieldrin or other possible pesticide-related constituents (“Pesticides”) on the Property in certain portions of the soil and in the upper aquifer of the groundwater, which may have resulted from past applications of pesticides. The Grantee is cautioned to use due care during use, occupancy, and Property development activities that may involve soils containing Pesticides. …
    Page 7 of 14

Grantor: US Air Force
Grantee: Southern California Logistics Airport Authority

Quitclaim Deed George AFB Family Housing (PDF - 510 KB)

Reference

Definitions:

  • Bioaccumulate: to become concentrated inside the bodies of living things
  • Organochlorine pesticides: POPs made out of organochlorine compounds.  These organochlorine compounds and there metabolites can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in lipid rich tissues such as human breast and breast milk
  • Persistent organic pollutants (POPs): organic compounds of natural or anthropogenic origin that resist photolytic, chemical and / or biological degradation (UNEP, 1999)
  • Persistent: extremely resistant to natural breakdown processes and therefore are stable and long-lived
  • Pollutants: toxic chemicals which adversely affect human health
  • Synergistic interaction: the effect of two chemicals taken together which is greater than the sum of their separate effect at the same doses

Acronyms:

  • AF – United States Air Force
  • ATSDR – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
  • CAA: Clean Air Act
  • CERCLA: Superfund or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
  • CWA: Clean Water Act
  • EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
  • DOD – United States  Department of Defense
  • POPs – Persistent Organic Pollutants
  • TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act
  • WHO – World Health Organization

I am not a doctor, Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or attorney; therefore, I cannot provide medical or legal advice.

If you, a friend, or a loved one have been injured or have passed away due to exposure to contamination at a DOD Superfund Site, please follow the steps outlined on the "Get Help" page.

The views and opinions expressed on this website belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the U.S. government.

Fair Use Notice   |   Release to one is release to all 

3 Comments

  1. My family and I lived on base at George AFB from 1983-1990, I now have an enlarged and fatty liver, Before I retired I had two subdural hematomaes, Are any of these problems have to do with any of the problems at George AFB?

    • Robert,
      I am not a doctor or attorney, and cannot give medical advice or legal advice.

      “subdural hematoma” – Did you have a head trauma? What was your AFSC did you work with any chemicals (TCE)?

      Trichloroethylene – The daughter product of TCE product is Vinyl Chloride, and Vinyl Chloride is the bad actor.

      There appears to be a connection Vinyl chloride and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) See: http://tinyurl.com/l9mrzwe

      There appears to be a connection Vinyl chloride and subdural hematoma. See: http://tinyurl.com/lturmjr

      If you, a friend, or loved one has been injured or died as a result of the contamination at a DOD Superfund Site please follow the steps that are outlined at Get Help. http://www.basefamilyhousing.info/get-help/

      AND contact the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC), and have them do a workup and a toxic exposure evaluation (AOEC Clinic Directory). http://www.aoec.org/directory.htm

      If you feel there may be a connection to George PLEASE “Submit Your Information To The GAFB’s Health Registry.” http://www.georgeafb.info/submit-information-gafb-health-registry/

      I hope this helps.
      Frank

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