David Steckler, the remedial project manager who runs the environmental restoration program for NAS Patuxent River,
explained after 300 attended a public meeting at the Lexington Park Library in March, 2020, that the Navy is
"extremely early in the process" of testing the sites for potential contamination. It's a lengthy process, he said.
explained after 300 attended a public meeting at the Lexington Park Library in March, 2020, that the Navy is
"extremely early in the process" of testing the sites for potential contamination. It's a lengthy process, he said.
History of AFFF use on Pax River
Pax River has “foamed” Metcom’s sanitary sewer system with thousands of gallons of PFAS chemicals as the navy has done to municipal sewer systems adjacent to naval installations across the country.
Following is a record of 16 sites contaminated with AFFF containing PFAS on the Pax River base. These 16 describe environmental crimes committed by the Navy at Pax River. The same behavior is evident at large naval installations around the world.
Hangar 2133 Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Hangar - There have been multiple releases of AFFF in 2002, 2005, and 2010 from the suppression system in the hangar. In at least one incident (date unknown) the entire system inadvertently went off. The exact quantities of AFFF concentrate and foam are unknown. An unknown amount of AFFF foam during the 2010 release entered the sanitary sewer leading to MetCom which had to shut off sewage flow and deal with reactivated AFFF in all the aeration basins. This incapacitated the treatment facility. AFFF has also been said to be pushed out the hangar onto the grassy area southeast of the concrete apron. On at least two occasions (dates unknown) AFFF could be seen down the storm culvert leading to the drainage ditch near Hangar 115.
Hangar 2133 is equipped with four 1,000-gallon tanks of Ansulite 3% AFFF concentrate to supply the AFFF fire suppression system. Nozzles of overhead suppression systems are designed to discharge foam at several thousand gallons per minute. Many systems in use are capable of achieving a flow rate of 2,400 gallons a minute. As recently as 1997 the Army Corps of Engineers recommended dumping AFFF after routine hangar tests into sanitary sewer systems and they knew back then how bad these chemical are.
Pax River has “foamed” Metcom’s sanitary sewer system with thousands of gallons of PFAS chemicals as the navy has done to municipal sewer systems adjacent to naval installations across the country.
Following is a record of 16 sites contaminated with AFFF containing PFAS on the Pax River base. These 16 describe environmental crimes committed by the Navy at Pax River. The same behavior is evident at large naval installations around the world.
Hangar 2133 Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Hangar - There have been multiple releases of AFFF in 2002, 2005, and 2010 from the suppression system in the hangar. In at least one incident (date unknown) the entire system inadvertently went off. The exact quantities of AFFF concentrate and foam are unknown. An unknown amount of AFFF foam during the 2010 release entered the sanitary sewer leading to MetCom which had to shut off sewage flow and deal with reactivated AFFF in all the aeration basins. This incapacitated the treatment facility. AFFF has also been said to be pushed out the hangar onto the grassy area southeast of the concrete apron. On at least two occasions (dates unknown) AFFF could be seen down the storm culvert leading to the drainage ditch near Hangar 115.
Hangar 2133 is equipped with four 1,000-gallon tanks of Ansulite 3% AFFF concentrate to supply the AFFF fire suppression system. Nozzles of overhead suppression systems are designed to discharge foam at several thousand gallons per minute. Many systems in use are capable of achieving a flow rate of 2,400 gallons a minute. As recently as 1997 the Army Corps of Engineers recommended dumping AFFF after routine hangar tests into sanitary sewer systems and they knew back then how bad these chemical are.
Building 1669 - Building with AFFF suppression system. An unknown amount of AFFF concentrate was released prior to 1991 and spilled on the ground southeast of the building. The soil was reportedly excavated and disposed. A release of 500-gallon at most occurred in mid-2000s. This release reportedly went to an oil- water separator which leads to Metcom.
Hangar 2905 Aircraft Prototype Facility & Hangar - Hangar with a AFFF suppression system • One release in 2011 of 150 gallons went to the floor drain connected to the sanitary sewer leading to MetCom. A similar release of 150 gallons in November 2015 was confined to the system mechanical room and was stopped from going down the drain. Leaks possibly went outside the mechanical room.
Site 14 – Old Fire Fighting Burn Pad - AFFF use from 1970 to early 1980s. Fires were ignited on a concrete pad or in a pit using fuel. AFFF foam was used to extinguish the fire and was allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains • An unknown amount of AFFF was released. The Navy has a record of all AFFF foam containing PFAS that have ever been used at the base but we don’t have that information.
Air Show Fire- Fighting Demonstration Area - PFAS foams were used for fire-fighting demonstrations during air shows, 1970-1973. Fires were created by dumping fuel around a fuselage to simulate an actual crash scene. AFFF foam on crash trucks used to extinguish and allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains; the amount of AFFF foam released is unknown
Site 41 – Fire Fighting Burn Pad Former Fire Training Area - Pipes carried expired JP fuel or waste oil to an old fuselage set in a 200 x 200-ft pit on a concrete pad. Fires were ignited and after 1972 AFFF foams were used to extinguish fires. AFFF was allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains. An unknown amount of AFFF foam was released.
Crash Trucks Daily Equipment Functioning Inspection Area Taxiway Alpha - Crash trucks from Bldg. 103 used this area for daily checks of AFFF spray equipment and consistency of foam. AFFF foam was allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains. An unknown amount of AFFF foam released and period over which functioning testing was conducted is unknown.
Building 103 – Air Operations Fire Station - 1,700 gallons of AFFF concentrate is stored in tanks and crash trucks. Daily equipment checks and foam spray testing along with spills and leaks of AFFF concentrate potentially occurred here. An unknown amount of AFFF foam released.
Building 2385 Hazardous Materials Storage Facility - There have been multiple releases of AFFF concentrate from the suppression system in the building. The total amount of AFFF concentrate released during incidents is estimated to be under 80 gallons.
Hangar 110 Test Pilot School Aircraft Hangar - In April 2015, the contents of a 2,200-gallon tank of AFFF concentrate for the suppression system was released due to mechanical failure. AFFF concentrate was visibly seeping through the concrete and ponding in the adjacent stairwell/walkway area in between hangar bays.
Hangar 2835 - This is a temporary hangar with a AFFF suppression system. There have been several releases of AFFF foam and concentration in 2012-2015 due to spills, mechanical rupture in cold weather, and inadvertent activation of the system.
Hangar 2805 Presidential Helicopter Hangar - In November of 2009, 400 gallons of AFFF concentrate was released due to mechanical failure of the suppression system. The recovery system did not work properly and the 2009 release had to be manually contained.
Buildings 215 and 217 Engine Test Area The first known emergency use of AFFF occurred here in December, 1970. Engines of a F-8 aircraft were being tested and the plane caught on fire. Firefighters sprayed AFFF to extinguish the fire; The amount of AFFF used is unknown.
Building 102 Former Fire Station - Historical photo shows crash truck discharging what is likely AFFF for a demonstration. The amount of fire-fighting agent used unknown.
Building 840 - T-38A Talon aircraft crash in July 2000 Firefighters responded using AFFF to extinguish the fire. The amount of AFFF used is unknown. Additionally, an A-37 aircraft crashed on the skeet range before 1991 (exact date unknown) and AFFF was used on the crash; amount of AFFF used unknown.
Bronson Road - Aircraft Crash Site - An F/A-18 Hornet crashed in 1992. Firefighters responded using crash trucks and sprayed AFFF to extinguish the fire; The amount of AFFF used is unknown
That’s what we know from what they’ve told us. There’s been no independent verification or testing of any of these claims made by the navy. Unknown amounts of releases are typically reported.
Source: https://www.navfac.navy.mil/niris/WASHINGTON/PATUXENT_RIVER_NAS/N0428A_002959.pdf
Hangar 2905 Aircraft Prototype Facility & Hangar - Hangar with a AFFF suppression system • One release in 2011 of 150 gallons went to the floor drain connected to the sanitary sewer leading to MetCom. A similar release of 150 gallons in November 2015 was confined to the system mechanical room and was stopped from going down the drain. Leaks possibly went outside the mechanical room.
Site 14 – Old Fire Fighting Burn Pad - AFFF use from 1970 to early 1980s. Fires were ignited on a concrete pad or in a pit using fuel. AFFF foam was used to extinguish the fire and was allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains • An unknown amount of AFFF was released. The Navy has a record of all AFFF foam containing PFAS that have ever been used at the base but we don’t have that information.
Air Show Fire- Fighting Demonstration Area - PFAS foams were used for fire-fighting demonstrations during air shows, 1970-1973. Fires were created by dumping fuel around a fuselage to simulate an actual crash scene. AFFF foam on crash trucks used to extinguish and allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains; the amount of AFFF foam released is unknown
Site 41 – Fire Fighting Burn Pad Former Fire Training Area - Pipes carried expired JP fuel or waste oil to an old fuselage set in a 200 x 200-ft pit on a concrete pad. Fires were ignited and after 1972 AFFF foams were used to extinguish fires. AFFF was allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains. An unknown amount of AFFF foam was released.
Crash Trucks Daily Equipment Functioning Inspection Area Taxiway Alpha - Crash trucks from Bldg. 103 used this area for daily checks of AFFF spray equipment and consistency of foam. AFFF foam was allowed to infiltrate into the ground and discharge to surrounding stormwater ditches and drains. An unknown amount of AFFF foam released and period over which functioning testing was conducted is unknown.
Building 103 – Air Operations Fire Station - 1,700 gallons of AFFF concentrate is stored in tanks and crash trucks. Daily equipment checks and foam spray testing along with spills and leaks of AFFF concentrate potentially occurred here. An unknown amount of AFFF foam released.
Building 2385 Hazardous Materials Storage Facility - There have been multiple releases of AFFF concentrate from the suppression system in the building. The total amount of AFFF concentrate released during incidents is estimated to be under 80 gallons.
Hangar 110 Test Pilot School Aircraft Hangar - In April 2015, the contents of a 2,200-gallon tank of AFFF concentrate for the suppression system was released due to mechanical failure. AFFF concentrate was visibly seeping through the concrete and ponding in the adjacent stairwell/walkway area in between hangar bays.
Hangar 2835 - This is a temporary hangar with a AFFF suppression system. There have been several releases of AFFF foam and concentration in 2012-2015 due to spills, mechanical rupture in cold weather, and inadvertent activation of the system.
Hangar 2805 Presidential Helicopter Hangar - In November of 2009, 400 gallons of AFFF concentrate was released due to mechanical failure of the suppression system. The recovery system did not work properly and the 2009 release had to be manually contained.
Buildings 215 and 217 Engine Test Area The first known emergency use of AFFF occurred here in December, 1970. Engines of a F-8 aircraft were being tested and the plane caught on fire. Firefighters sprayed AFFF to extinguish the fire; The amount of AFFF used is unknown.
Building 102 Former Fire Station - Historical photo shows crash truck discharging what is likely AFFF for a demonstration. The amount of fire-fighting agent used unknown.
Building 840 - T-38A Talon aircraft crash in July 2000 Firefighters responded using AFFF to extinguish the fire. The amount of AFFF used is unknown. Additionally, an A-37 aircraft crashed on the skeet range before 1991 (exact date unknown) and AFFF was used on the crash; amount of AFFF used unknown.
Bronson Road - Aircraft Crash Site - An F/A-18 Hornet crashed in 1992. Firefighters responded using crash trucks and sprayed AFFF to extinguish the fire; The amount of AFFF used is unknown
That’s what we know from what they’ve told us. There’s been no independent verification or testing of any of these claims made by the navy. Unknown amounts of releases are typically reported.
Source: https://www.navfac.navy.mil/niris/WASHINGTON/PATUXENT_RIVER_NAS/N0428A_002959.pdf