The U.S. Air Force and Dover Air Force Base notified Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control that preliminary results show two wells near the base have possible elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The preliminary results indicate concentrations above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s lifetime health advisory for these substances of 70 parts per trillion
The unvalidated results for the two wells are in addition to validated detections of PFOS and PFOA for four wells announced in July 2019. The Air Force continues to provide alternative water supply to those properties.
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is working with DNREC, the base and the owners of the affected wells. The owners of the two wells, who each provide water to a single commercial business, have been notified and have been provided with bottled water by Dover AFB.
The unvalidated results of water samples recently collected by the USAF from ten other wells reported PFOS and PFOA below the federal health advisory level. Although the recent test results are unvalidated at this time, validation of the data is expected within 30 days.
PFOS and PFOA are part of a group of synthetic chemicals (PFAS) used in a variety of products that over time have become widely distributed in the environment. These chemicals have been found at Dover AFB and other airbases and airports in firefighting foam. The USAF and EPA have been working with the state to determine the impacts of the chemicals on private wells near the base.
No PFOS or PFOA have been detected in five nearby municipal water wells tested by Dover AFB’s water supplier, Tidewater Utilities. Tidewater sampled four on-base municipal supply wells and the off-base municipal supply well nearest the base. All these wells draw water from an aquifer.
A permanent solution may consist of treatment, connecting to a new system, or other solution.
DPH encourages the impacted businesses, office building, and dwellings in the affected area to use the bottled water provided by the base until a permanent solution is in place.
Anyone with specific health concerns or questions about potential health impacts is encouraged to contact their primary care provider. General questions about the health effects from, and exposure to, PFAS can call DPH at 302-744-4546.
