Currently, there are over 1,329 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List of the EPA, a large number of which are military bases where toxic contamination occurred.
New Jersey is home to the largest number of toxic waste sites in the country, with 115 locations as of 2023.
It was followed by California and Pennsylvania, each with at least 90 sites at the time. Once military bases are on the National Priorities List, the EPA begins performing cleanup activities to remove toxic agents from the environment, which can sometimes take decades, depending on the size of the facility and the extent of contamination. The following are only some of the chemicals the agency considers for Superfund sites, as well as the chemicals it cleans up from military bases:
- PFAS: over 700 military bases nationwide have known PFAS contamination, and exposure to these harmful chemicals might result in terrible diseases, including prostate, liver, and kidney cancer
- acetone: acetone has been used as a paint remover and varnish remover, and one of the adverse health effects associated with exposure is irritation of the nose, throat, trachea, and lungs
- benzene: as a colorless and highly flammable liquid with a sweet smell, benzene exposure is responsible for leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma
- 2-butanone: this chemical is used in various industrial products, such as paints and coatings, as well as in glues and as a cleaning agent, and exposure can cause several cancers
- carbon tetrachloride: it is a non-flammable, colorless liquid with a sweet chloroform-like smell, and exposure to it can result in liver and kidney damage
- trichloroethylene (TCE): this is a halocarbon commonly used as an industrial degreasing solvent, and exposure to it is responsible for kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and liver cancer
- perchloroethylene (PCE): as a colorless liquid widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics, perchloroethylene exposure can cause liver damage and multiple myeloma
- chlordane: this is a thick liquid whose color ranges from colorless to amber, and exposure can be the culprit behind diseases such as leukemia
- 1,1- dichloroethane: as a colorless, oily liquid with a sweet odor, this chemical is responsible for kidney damage among people who are exposed to it regularly
- 1,2- dichloroethane: commonly known as ethylene dichloride, this chemical can cause damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and lungs and may also cause cancer in those exposed
- methylene chloride: this volatile liquid with a chloroform-like odor is widely used as a solvent, and exposure can result in drowsiness, numbness and tingling limbs, and nausea
- polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB): these chemicals are industrial products, and exposure to PCB can result in cancer of the liver and biliary tract
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): as a class of chemicals occurring naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can be responsible for bladder cancer
- toluene: toluene is a clear, colorless liquid that becomes a vapor when exposed to room temperature, and exposure to it has been shown to cause liver and kidney damage
- vinyl chloride: this chemical is used mainly to make polyvinyl chloride, a hard plastic resin used to make plastic products, and exposure to it can result in liver, brain, and lung cancer
- halogenated hydrocarbons: these chemicals are hydrocarbon compounds in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by a halogen, and exposure can result in liver cancer and lymphoma
- trihalomethanes: many trihalomethanes find uses in industry as solvents or refrigerants, and exposure can be the culprit behind bladder cancer and other serious diseases
- xylene: it is widely used in industry and medical technology as a solvent, and exposure can cause leukemia and other cancers
- heavy metals: exposure to these neurotoxic substances that occur naturally in the environment, such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead, can result in bladder, lung, prostate, and kidney cancer
If you are a veteran or a family member of one who spent at least one cumulative year at a contaminated military base and now struggle with a disease related to toxic exposure, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with our team of professionals. They will gladly evaluate your case to determine whether you are entitled to financial compensation for your unjust physical and emotional suffering. The legal process is simple and will mostly take place over the phone, with minimal involvement from you, as our skilled attorneys will take care of the most complex matters on your behalf.
File your military base toxic exposure claim with our expert assistance
With over 35 years of experience in assessing toxic exposure claims, our expert team is ready to offer you the assistance you need.
If you want to file a claim as a veteran, you will only have to send us your military and medical records, while family members will also need to send evidence of their stay at the military base. Eligible individuals will be recommended a reliable, top-notch attorney to handle their claims.