Region 10
Fairbanks North Star Borough (AK) near Eielson Air Force Base
The Air Force is investigating historical use of PFAS–containing aqueous film forming foam at the Eielson Air Force Base, located 20 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2015, The Air Force found PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) at levels higher than the EPA Health Advisory in wells on base and in the nearby Moose Creek community. The Air Force is treating on base wells to remove PFAS and providing alternate water to over 170 homes in Moose Creek
Rhonda S. Kaetzel, Ph.D., DABT
(206) 553-0530
The Air Force is working to bring municipal drinking water to the Moose Creek community. Levels of PFAS in Polaris Lake exceed Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s surface water Action Levels for PFAS. Alaska Fish and Game measured PFAS in fish in Polaris Lake; the lake is closed to sport fishing and will not be stocked until additional information becomes available.
ATSDR and our cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) assisted in public meetings to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure. ADHSS provided technical assistance to Alaska Fish and Game to assess levels of PFAS in fish in Polaris Lake. The Moose Creek community was chosen to be one of ATSDR’s exposure assessment sites for 2020. The primary goal of these exposure assessments is to provide information to the community about the level of PFAS in their bodies. ATSDR and ADHSS will continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information about Moose Creek wells and fishing in nearby lakes, visit the following web sites:
- http://www.eielson.af.mil/Info/Environmental.aspxexternal icon
- http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/sites/eielson.htmexternal icon
- http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/eph/Documents/PFCs/Moose%20Creek_PFAS%20Fact%20Sheet_Dec%201%202016.pdfCdc-pdfpdf iconexternal icon
- http://www.epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/b2017_25.pdfCdc-pdf pdf iconexternal icon
- https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2018&NRID=2720external icon
Fairbanks Regional Fire Training Center (AK)
The City of Fairbanks, Alaska is investigating the use of PFAS–containing aqueous film forming foam at the Regional Fire Training Center. In 2016, the City sampled for PFAS in drinking water wells of nearby homes and found PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) at levels higher than the EPA Health Advisory. The City is providing bottled water to affected residents and has connected some properties to the municipal water system. Golden Heart Utilities, the local Fairbanks Sewer and Water subsidiary, measured PFAS in bio solids (compost) and stopped distributing it.
Since 2016, ATSDR and our cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) assisted in public meetings to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure. ADHSS provided technical assistance to the local wastewater utility to assess risks of using bio solids. ATSDR and ADHSS will continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information visit the following web sites:
- http://dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/sites/fairbanks-fire-training-center/external icon
- http://www.epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/b2017_25.pdfCdc-pdfpdf iconexternal icon
- http://www.akwater.com/compost.shtmlexternal icon
Fairbanks International Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS–containing aqueous film forming foam in training and emergencies at the Fairbanks International Airport. In 2017, PFAS were found in groundwater wells and surface water on airport property and then in nearby private drinking water wells. The combined level of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) was above the EPA Health Advisory level in some private wells. The Airport is connecting residences to the municipal water system.
ATSDR and our cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) participated in public meetings to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure. ATSDR and ADHSS continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information visit the following web sites
Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, Utqiagvik (Barrow) (AK)
The Navy is investigating the historical use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam at the Naval Artic Research Laboratory (NARL) in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska. The NARL is near Lake Imikpuk. Whaling crews from the Inuplat community collected ice from the lake for drinking water. The Navy sampled the lake for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). PFOA was detected above the EPA Health Advisory in 4 of 5 samples. Signs discouraging use were installed at areas commonly accessed. Ukpeagvuik Inupiat Corporation treats water from the Isatkoak Lagoon for drinking water, which is also contaminated with PFAS, unrelated to contamination at NARL.
ATSDR and our cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) assisted in public meetings and outreach to City and Tribal leadership to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure and to assist in finding alternative water sources for whaling crews. ATSDR and ADHSS continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information visit the Navfac.Navy.Mil pdf iconexternal iconweb site.
Gustavus Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and City of Gustavus are investigating the use of PFAS–containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) at or near the Gustavus airport, in Southeast Alaska. In fall of 2018, they sampled private drinking water wells around the airport and found 12 business or private drinking water wells with PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) above the former Alaska Department of Conservation Action Level. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is providing alternate water to those who need it.
ATSDR and our cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, assisted in a public meeting and outreach to residents. ADHSS is writing a Letter Health Consultation to document exposures and potential health effects. ATSDR’s partners at the Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialties Unit (PEHSU) provided technical and clinical assistance to residents and clinicians.
For more information visit the following web site: http://dot.alaska.gov/airportwater/gustavus/external icon
Dillingham Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam at the Dillingham Airport. In 2019, they sampled 65 wells and found PFAS in 35 wells, seven of which were above the former Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Action Level. The Holy Rosary Church, who’s well exceeded the Action Level, served as a source of water to the community. Alternate water has been provided.
ATSDR’s cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, assisted in a public meeting to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure.
For more information visit the following web site: http://dot.alaska.gov/airportwater/dillingham/external icon
King Salmon Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) at the King Salmon Airport. Twenty residential and business drinking water wells were sampled near the airport, one of which is above the EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation continues to test wells.
ATSDR’s cooperative agreement partner, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) provided technical assistance to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to assess health concerns and provide technical and health education support.
For more information visit the following web site: http://dot.alaska.gov/airportwater/kingsalmon/external icon
Yakutat Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) at the Yakutat Airport. Twelve wells were sampled but none exceeded the EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). More sampling is planned.
ATSDR’s cooperative agreement partner, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) provided technical assistance to residents and discussed health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure.
For more information visit the following web site: http://dot.alaska.gov/airportwater/yakutat/external icon
Former North Pole Refinery Property, North Pole (AK)
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating historical use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam at the former North Pole Refinery property. PFAS were detected in groundwater monitoring wells and private wells as co-contaminants of sulfolane. Post-treatment samples from private wells show PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) to be below the EPA Health Advisory.
Levels of PFAS in Kimberly Lake, down gradient from the facility, exceed Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s surface water Action Levels for PFAS. Alaska Fish and Game measured PFAS in fish in Kimberly Lake. The lake is closed to sport fishing and will not be stocked until additional information becomes available. During the summer, local farms use PFAS-contaminated water on produce, which is then provided to local schools.
ATSDR’s cooperative agreement partner, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) assisted in a public meeting to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS and sulfolane exposures. ADHSS provided technical assistance to local farms and to Alaska Fish and Game. They evaluated child exposures to food grown at local farms with intermittent and seasonal use of PFAS-contaminated groundwater and found no health concerns. ADHSS is evaluating exposures to fish in Kimberly Lake and provided interim advice to Alaska Fish and Game regarding fishing in the lake.
For more information visit the following web sites:
Spokane County (WA) near Fairchild Air Force Base
The Air Force is investigating the use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foam at Fairchild Air Force Base located about 15 miles west of Spokane, Washington. In 2017, after sampling identified PFAS on base, the Air Force tested municipal and private wells down gradient from the base. The Airway Heights community water system is blending well water and installed a PFAS removal system so water post-treatment contains less than EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). As of January 2019, the Air Force has sampled 369 drinking water wells, with 90 wells above the EPA Health Advisory for combined PFOA and PFOS (70 parts per trillion, ppt). The Air Force is providing alternate drinking water to private well owners with levels above the EPA Health Advisory and considering other alternate water sources.
ATSDR assisted the Air Force in public meetings and outreach to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure. The Airway Heights community was chosen to be one ATSDR’s exposure assessment sites in 2019. The primary goal of these exposure assessments is to provide information to the community about the level of PFAS in their bodies. ATSDR and ADHSS will continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information, visit the following websites:
- https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas/activities/assessments/sites/spokane-county-wa.html
- http://www.fairchild.af.mil/PFOS-PFOA-INFO/external icon
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island/Naval Outlying Field Coupeville (WA)
The Navy continues to investigate the use of PFAS-containing aqueous film forming foam at the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, Washington, which includes Ault Field in Oak Harbor and the Outlying Landing Field in Coupeville. As of May 2019, the Navy has hosted four phases of sampling at Ault Field (including Area 6) for 98 wells, two of which exceeded the EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). Alternate water was provided. The Navy sampled two phases at the Outlying Landing Field and seven of the 108 samples exceeded the EPA Health Advisory. Residents received alternate water and will be connected to the City water system. The Navy is putting a treatment system on the City’s water system in anticipation of future migration of the plume toward these wells.
ATSDR, Washington State Department of Health (WDOH), the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) at the University of Washington, and the Island County Health Department assisted the Navy in answering PFAS-related health questions individually and at public meetings.
For more information visit the following web sites: