Accidental Discharge at Former Naval Air Base Releases Hazardous Chemicals

A significant environmental incident occurred in Brunswick, Maine, when over 1,600 gallons of firefighting foam containing hazardous PFAS “forever chemicals” spilled into the environment. This event has raised serious concerns about the area’s long-term environmental and health impacts.

5 Key Points

  • Over 1,600 gallons of PFAS-containing firefighting foam spilled in Brunswick
  • A malfunction at the former Brunswick Naval Air Base caused the accidental discharge
  • Foam entered sewer and stormwater systems, affecting nearby water bodies
  • Clean-up efforts are underway by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
  • The incident highlights ongoing issues with PFAS contamination and removal efforts

Details of the Firefighting Foam Spill

The incident occurred early Monday morning at the Brunswick Executive Airport, formerly the Brunswick Naval Air Base. A fire suppression system malfunction in a hangar discharged Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a type of firefighting foam known to contain PFAS chemicals. These chemicals are particularly effective at smothering jet fuel fires but pose significant environmental and health risks.

Steve Walker, Director of the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust, which owns a nature preserve adjacent to the airport, described the extent of the spill: “There was a large black outlet pipe, just discharging, pumping, basically foam out in the downstream side of the pond. So the entire stream bed was covered in this thick foam, getting up into the tree branches.”

The foam’s impact was substantial, with Walker reporting that one nearby pond had foam four to eight feet deep. The foam became airborne as wind conditions changed later in the day, potentially spreading the contamination further.

Environmental Impact and Concerns

The spill of PFAS-containing foam into the environment raises significant concerns due to the persistent nature of these chemicals. Professor Matthew Klingle, an environmental historian at Bowdoin College and Director of the Environmental Studies Program, highlighted the long-term implications:

“To me, the bigger concern is not the immediate cleanup, but the fact that this is going to add to the already not insignificant amount of PFAs and other dangerous chemicals that are in the soils and the waters,” Klingle stated.

PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” are known for their persistence in the environment and their potential to accumulate in living organisms. They have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease.

Clean-up Efforts and Regulatory Response

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has initiated clean-up efforts in response to the spill. However, PFAS chemicals make complete removal challenging, if possible. This incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding using and storing AFFF at former military installations. Maine restricted the use of AFFF in 2021, recognizing these chemicals’ environmental and health risks. Public documents reveal that the Navy had planned to remove the foam from the hangar by October of this year, making the timing of this spill particularly unfortunate.

Broader Implications and Future Considerations

The Brunswick firefighting foam spill is a stark reminder of the potential environmental hazards associated with legacy military sites and the challenges of managing hazardous materials. It raises questions about the adequacy of current storage and handling protocols for PFAS-containing substances.

This incident may prompt:

  1. Accelerated efforts to remove AFFF from former military installations
  2. Increased monitoring of water bodies and soil near sites known to have used PFAS-containing foams
  3. Further research into the long-term environmental and health impacts of PFAS exposure
  4. Reevaluation of emergency response protocols for incidents involving PFAS-containing materials

As communities across the country grapple with PFAS contamination, incidents like the Brunswick spill underscore the urgency of addressing this widespread environmental issue.