Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)at MCB Camp Lejeune

Last Updated July 22, 2021

What are PFAS?

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, PFAS, are a large family of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1950s because of their unique water- and oil-repelling properties. They have been used in products such as carpeting, apparel, food packaging, and non-stick cookware to make them more stain-resistant, waterproof, and/or non-stick.
The most common historical use of PFAS at MCB Camp Lejeune was in firefighting foam, specifically aqueous film forming foam, or AFFF. AFFF was typically used to fight fuel fires and was historically used at MCB Camp Lejeune for training and firefighting. Currently, MCB Camp Lejeune is using fire fighting foam that meets updated military specifications for PFAS content.

Has the on-base drinking water been tested for PFAS?

Yes. On-base drinking water comes from 3 sources: the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority (ONWASA), the City of Jacksonville, as well as by the Base. Specifically, this sampling was conducted in 2013 – 2015 as part of the EPA’s Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3). Six PFAS were tested for during the UCMR3 sampling and there were no detections. More information on the UCMR3 can be found on the EPA’s website: https://www.epa.gov/dwucmr/third-unregulated-contaminant-monitoring-rule
Additionally, the base initiated voluntary testing of the on-base drinking water supply for several PFAS in 2019. Currently the drinking water is sampled twice per year for several PFAS.
PFOA and PFOS have not been detected above the EPA’s drinking water lifetime health advisory in the on-base supply of drinking water at MCB Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River.

What else is being done at MCB Camp Lejeune to address PFAS on-base?

Multiple programs within the Environmental Management Division are involved in managing PFAS. Ensuring the health and well being of all those aboard MCB Camp Lejeune is our mission.
The Environmental Management Division at MCB Camp Lejeune works with multiple state and federal agencies to ensure we comply with all federal and state standards to protect human health and the environment.

Find out what each program in the Environmental Management Division is doing about PFAS.

Drinking Water Program:

We are voluntarily testing drinking water supplied by the Base for PFAS twice per year.
We test treated water (what comes out of your tap) from the 4 on-base water treatment plants and raw groundwater (water before treatment) from more than 50 supply wells.
PFOA and PFOS in on-base drinking water have not been detected above the EPA lifetime health advisory.
Results of the voluntary testing can be found online at: https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/Offices-Staff/Environmental-Mgmt/Annual-Reports/Voluntary-Monitoring-Detected-Contaminants

Air Quality Program:

172 PFAS are required to be reported for 2020 as part of the annual Toxics Release Inventory.
This inventory reporting will be completed for these PFAS by July 1, 2021, for the calendar year 2020.
For more Information go to: https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/implementing-statutory-addition-certain-and-polyfluoroalkyl

Environmental Restoration Program:

We work with Public Works Division and Military Construction parties to ensure that soil and groundwater containing PFAS are handled safely and disposed of properly.
We are conducting a base-wide assessment of soil and groundwater where our research indicates there is a potential for a historic PFAS-AFFF or other PFAS release.
For more information go to: Environmental Restoration

Navy’s Nationwide PFAS Policy

Drinking water safety is the top priority with the Navy’s PFAS policy and investigations
The Navy conducts drinking water investigations first, before completing on-Base PFAS investigations, if there are drinking water wells located within 1 mile in the direction the groundwater flows away from a known or suspected PFAS release area

Environmental Compliance Branch:

We screen, authorize, and monitor the use of PFAS-containing materials on Base.
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Section (RCRS) evaluates the products for PFAS and approves or denies use based on military specifications, or MILSPEC, and mission requirements.
RCRS reports any known PFAS/AFFF release to Headquarters Marine Corps.
The Environmental Assessment Section provides regulatory oversight of daily unit operations by inspecting units for compliance with applicable Federal, State and other directives.
The installation spill response team cleans up and manages AFFF releases. We coordinate contractor support if a spill is beyond the capability of the installation spill response team.

Want more information on PFAS?

Want More Information about Camp Lejeune’s PFAS efforts?

Please contact the base Environmental Management Division:

Installation Restoration Program Manager
910-915-9773/ 910-451-9641
Lejeune_IR_Program@usmc.mil