For years, families in one Washington community have been fighting for clean water after toxic “forever chemicals” were found in their wells, stemming from a nearby U.S. Army base, according to a report from The Seattle Times. The situation highlights a frustrating battle for accountability and the health risks communities can face from pollution.
What happened?
Washington state officials are increasing pressure on the U.S. Army over its handling of PFAS contamination in the groundwater near the Yakima Training Center. The pollution is the result of decades of using firefighting foams containing the chemicals. A flyer for a recent community meeting summed up the state’s demands: “We have repeatedly asked the Army to share its data, create a thorough cleanup plan, and provide clean drinking water to everyone affected.”
Residents say they have faced years of delays, with some still waiting on filtration systems. The frustration is clear. “I’m just tired of being lied to and stonewalled,” said Charles Currier, a resident who has lived in the area for decades.
So, why is this contamination so concerning?
It comes down to a nasty group of substances called PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
They’re known as “forever chemicals.” The reason is simple: They don’t break down easily in our bodies or the environment. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is clear about the risks. These chemicals can damage our immune and reproductive systems. They can also mess with our hormones and increase the risk of high blood pressure and even cancer.
And here’s the kicker. These forever chemicals are in a lot more than just contaminated water. They show up in many everyday products, from food packaging to clothing, which is a troubling fact highlighted by another report that connected fluorine in common pesticides to harmful health effects.
What’s being done about it?
The Washington Department of Ecology is now demanding a thorough cleanup plan and full transparency from the Army. After the community meeting, officials are hopeful that new senior-level leadership from the Army will lead to a real plan of action.
“Transparency is super important when there’s broken trust, which exists here,” said Casey Sixkiller, the director of the state’s Department of Ecology. “It takes time to rebuild it, but one of the ways we do that is bring people in the conversation and have transparency so people can track our progress and hold us all accountable.” This growing awareness is crucial, as researchers in other studies are also raising alarms about endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in things such as pesticides.
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