ABC 7: Senators demand DOD reverse decision to delay cleanup of 'forever chemicals' at Cannon AFB

CLOVIS, NM (KVII) — Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, and 26 other Senate Democrats, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding he reverse the DOD's decision to delay the cleanup of so-called forever chemicals at military installations nationwide -- including Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis.
PFAS — or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances —are synthetic chemicals that have been used in everything from fast-food packaging to nonstick cookware, clothing, household cleaning products and even firefighting foam. They resist breaking down and as a result have found their way into drinking water, soil, air and the bloodstreams of 99% of Americans.
PFAS-laden firefighting foam was used for years at Cannon AFB.
According to state officials, PFAS have been detected in groundwater beyond the base at concentrations of 26,200 parts per trillion, exceeding state and federal drinking water standards by over 650,000%.
Cannon reported earlier this year that it has spent more than $73 million so far on investigating the problem and installing pilot projects to treat contaminated groundwater.
Exposure to PFAS is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, reduced immune function, reproductive challenges, birth defects, and thyroid issues.
At least 700 military sitesin the United States are known or suspected to have PFAS contamination from DoD activities.