PFAS INFORMATION

Welcome to the Yakima Training Center PFAS information site. We are providing this information for you to learn more about how the Army is addressing PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) at Yakima Training Center.  If you have questions, please contact us at USARMY.JBLM.ID-READINESS.LIST.DPW-ENV-DIV-IRP@ARMY.MIL   or 253-477-3742.

 

Questions & Comments

Reach us at:

Joint Base Lewis-McChord
JBLM Public Works Restoration Program Division
253-477-3742                                

USARMY.JBLM.ID-READINESS.LIST.DPW-ENV-DIV-IRP@ARMY.MIL                     

Information Repository

Yakima Central Library, 102 North 3rd Street, Yakima, WA 98901

LATEST NEWS

 

YTC NEWSLETTER JUNE 2024

YTC NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2024

YTC Newsletter NOV, 2023

YTC Newsletter July, 2023

YTC News Release 14 September, 2022

YTC News Release 16 May, 2022

YTC News Release 26 April, 2022

YTC News Release 23 March, 2022

YTC News Release 1 March 2022

YTC News Release 13 October 2021

YTC News Release 19 July 2021

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

 

WHAT IS PFAS?

PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl substances) refers to a class of man-made chemicals in commerce, including Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), and more. PFOA and PFOS are the most extensively studied and historically the most widely-used throughout the U.S.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR DRINKING WATER IS SAFE? FOR YTC NEIGHBORS? FOR YTC EMPLOYEES?

For our YTC neighbors, we know that PFAS was released on Yakima Training Center. We will use the best science available to identify where there is a hydrogeologic connection to the groundwater that is used for drinking water in private wells off the installation and we will sample those. If your water isn’t in the sampling plan, there is no evidence to suggest your water contains PFAS released from YTC sources.

For people who work or train at Yakima Training Center: Drinking water wells on YTC are dug deep, were tested, and were determined to meet all federal and state drinking water standards. PFAS is not in YTC drinking water above the EPA’s lifetime health advisory levels.

ARE YOU PROVIDING WATER FOR BATHING AND SHOWERING TOO?

The primary exposure routes for PFAS is in drinking water and foods or beverages prepared with that water. Exposure routes that are not significant include bathing, showering, dishwashing and laundry. YTC is providing bottled water for purposes of consumption to homes with wells above EPA’s lifetime health advisory of 70ppt. Bottled water is provided as an intermediate measure for consumption based on the above assessment.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF PFAS AND YTC?

PFAS is an emerging chemical of concern. Beginning in the 1950s, common use of PFAS have been in heat-, stain-, grease- and water-resistant products, such as carpets, clothing, upholstery fabrics, paper packaging for food, and cookware. PFAS have also been part of the chemical makeup of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), an important product used by military and civilian firefighting units since 1970 to suppress fuel fires.

PFAS TIMELINE

HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO PROVIDE WATER TO OUR LIVESTOCK? IS IT SAFE TO CONSUME LIVESTOCK THAT CONSUME PFAS?

Because we don’t currently have any information to suggest that your private well contains PFAS, or at what level, we can’t make a recommendation until we know more about the potential release of PFAS off-post. For more information, talk to your local health department or physician or click here.

WHAT IS THE ARMY DOING FOR PEOPLE WITH DRINKING WATER ABOVE EPA'S LIFETIME HEALTH ADVISORY LEVELS?

YTC is providing bottled water for purposes of consumption to homes with wells above the EPA’s Lifetime Health Advisory of 70 ppt. At this time the Army is not providing water for residents’ livestock. Information regarding PFAS and livestock, please contact the Washington State Department of Health at https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/contaminants/pfas and the Washington State Department of Agriculture.

COULD THE PFAS CONTAMINATION FROM THIS INSTALLATION BE CAUSING MY FAMILY'S BAD HEALTH? WHAT ARE THE KNOWN RISKS OF EXPOSURE TO PFAS?

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, some scientific studies suggest that certain PFAS may affect different systems in the body. ATSDR is working with various agencies to better understand how exposure to PFAS might affect people's health, especially how exposure to PFAS in water and food may be harmful. Additional information about the effects of PFAS can be found at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (link to click here) and the ATSDR PFAS Frequently Asked Questions (link to click here)

WHAT WILL YOU DO IF THERE IS PFAS IN OUR AREA/PROPERTY?

All landowners whose wells are sampled and analyzed will be notified in writing of validated off-post sampling results. A press release will be issued to local newspaper and published on this website providing the summary of sampling results, though no specific results will be included.

WHAT IS A LIFETIME HEALTH ADVISORY LEVEL?

The EPA establishes health advisory levels. Please click here for more information.

WHAT DOES PARTS-PER-TRILLION MEAN?

1 part per trillion (ppt) is equivalent to a single drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

IS PFAS HARMFUL TO PETS, LIVESTOCK, OR AGRICULTURE?

We recommend you contact the Washington Department of Agriculture at (360) 902-1800 for information, or visit their website at https://agr.wa.gov/