"Surprise! RAF Bases Uncover Untapped Hot Springs... of 'Forever Chemical' Groundwater Pollution"

Surprise! UK's Air Force Bases are Hotspots 'Forever Chemical' Groundwater Pollution [SWOP NEWS]

The Groundwater Conundrum: RAF Bases Identified as Hotspots of 'Forever Chemical' Groundwater Pollution:

Some of the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) bases have been found top of the charts in a less than flattering category – they are hotspots of toxic "forever chemical" pollution in water, according to a thorough analysis of Ministry of Defence (MoD) documents. Alarmingly, some of the highest concentrations of these noxious chemicals in British drinking water sources have been traced near RAF bases.

Forever Chemicals – An Indestructible Problem:

Labelled as 'forever chemicals' due to their indestructible nature, PFAS (which include PFOS and PFOA), are infamous for their ties to cancers, thyroid disease, and fertility issues. Despite PFOS and PFOA being banned, over 10,000 PFAS are still in use, echoing potential unknown toxic consequences.

Ministry of Defence Report – A Concerning Discovery:

Environmental reports commissioned by the MoD (2017-2022) uncovered considerable levels of these banned 'forever chemicals.' Measurements of PFOS and PFOA in the groundwater at sites such as RAF Benson, RAF Coningsby, and RAF Waddington indicated staggering contamination figures, far surpassing the maximum allowable level for drinking water in England.

Contamination Consequences:

A rather unsettling finding relates to RAF Waddington, an area lying in a drinking water supply zone that has groundwater contamination at over five times the maximum allowable drinking water levels. Similar concerns are associated with other bases including RAF Coningsby, which is not in a drinking water zone but has neighboring spray irrigation sites that might use the contaminated groundwater for crops.

Moreover, Anglian Water sampling has provided evidence that RAF Mildenhall might be contributing to the pollution of drinking water, with substantial levels of PFAS found in a nearby water source.

On-base Drinking Water – A Hidden Hazard:

The story takes an even more personal turn when considering that RAF personnel and their families could potentially be impacted by high PFAS levels, especially in bases that provide drinking water from on-base sources. The responsibility may fall on the MoD, a private water supplier which currently has no obligation to test for PFAS under private water regulations.

Moving Forward - RAF Bases Respond:

In response to these findings, some RAF bases have taken protective measures to ensure supply of safer drinking water. RAF Mildenhall, for example, uses carbon filtration to reduce PFAS to below 70ng/l and started monitoring its water for PFAS in 2020. Newer regulations in 2023 expanded that list from 17 to 29 PFAS compounds.

In all of this, an MoD spokesperson has clarified that ensuring the safety of their staff, personnel, and the public is their number one priority and actions are being taken accordingly.




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