Document 44EKMmw3rqzevrGG02LY148ax

I Installation PFOS/PFOA Wing Commander Public Engagement Outline Background PFCs are a class of synthetic fluorinated organic compounds used in many industrial and consumer products, and in foam used by commercial industries and the armed services to make petroleum-based tires. In 1970, the A ir Force began using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), which contains PFOS and PFOA, to extinguish petroleum fires. AFFF is the most efficient extinguishing method for petroleum-based fires and is widely used across the firefighting industry, to include all commercial airports, to protect people and properly. On May 19, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency established lifetime health advisory levels of 70 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. These two compounds are classified as emerging contaminants due to evolving regulatory standards. The A ir Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) is taking a three-step approach to address potential PFOS/PFOA contamination of drinking water supplies: identify, respond and prevent, Statement We are committed to protecting human health and ensuring safe drinking water for our Airmen and impacted communities. We are systematically sampling groundwater and soil where Aqueous Film Forming Foam was released, prioritizing release sites with a higher probability of groundwater contamination. Where our activities contaminated drinking water above the Environmental Protection Agency health advisory, we immediately provide safe drinking water and implement long-term steps to ensure safe drinking water, including transitioning to a more environmentally responsible AFFF alternative. Key Messages 1. Although PFOS/PFOA are unregulated and commonly used, the Air Force is taking aggressive measures to reduce the risk of mission-related PFOS/PFOA contamination to installation and supporting communities' drinking-water sources. 2. The A ir Force goal is to protect human health and ensure mission activities do not impact installation and supporting communities' access to safe drinking water. 3. The A ir Force is using a comprehensive approach - identify, respond, prevent - to assess the potential for PFOS/PFOA contamination of drinking water, on and off installations, and respond appropriately. 4. The A ir Force is committed to being transparent in its handling of PFOS/PFOA-related issues and related information and maintaining open dialogue with communities, regulators and other stakeholders. Roles and Responsibilities SAHIfc A rU cU msmiiaicHts SCsIPA SAF/PA Lead for all PFOS/PFOA actions; approval authority for programmatic communications; advises on local issue communication. PFOS/PFOA lead, coordinates PA activities between SAF/IE, SAF/PA, AFM SA (SG/PA), and installation PA offices; maintains public webpage and communication tools Coordinates with AFCEC and Major Commands to communicate base-specific messaging in line with drinking water, groundwater, surface water, soil and sediment sampling results Coordinates AF drinking water sampling, results and advise outreach efforts and messaging Advises and distributes PA guidance; national media engagement US00004845 US00004846 Installation Engagement Outline The PA posture for PFOS/PFOA is active. IDENTIFY i Preliminary Assessment ! Identifies fire training areas, crash sites | and areas at installations where AFFF ....... ; i Site Inspection ! Groundwater, surface water, soil and sediment sampling for verification....:f I pathways exist to drinking water source, l the Air Force will test public water i systems and private wells Installation Action: Refer all questions to AFCEC/PA Installation Actions: RTQs Levels not above HA No action Levels above HA-- source o f concern, a pathway to drinking water and a receptor Notify MAJCOM Coord, w/ AFCEC/PA Establish working group w / AFCEC, EPA & regulators Press release (SAF/IEE Approval) Public meeting (SAF/IEE Approval) j Drinking Water Results I Water samples collected by i Bioenvironmental Engineering personnel l from base to detect levels of l PFOS/PFOA---if sample concentrations ; exceed 70 ppt, a safe alternative drinking I source is provided and recommendations | will be made to reduce exposure Installation Actions: Notify MAJCOM Coord. Response w/ AFCEC, SG & SAF Communicate results to stakeholders (SAF/IEE Approval) ; ; ; l ; l ; ; ; ; : i ; ; I Mitigation j When PFOS/PFOA levels exceed the HA, j the A ir Force will take measures to target | the source and reduce risk and provide I bottled water, water treatment systems or ; an alfprnafp wi*tpr <*mirnp hppHpH Installation Action: Notify MAJCOM Coord, w 1 AFCEC/PA to develop engagement plan Press release (SAF/IEE Approval) i i i i I AFFF Replacement I The A ir Force is replacing legacy AFFF I with environmentally responsible C6 j AFFF that is approved for military use and I below the EPA's health advisory levels Installation Action: . RTQ Coord, w/ AFCEC/PA to develop engagement plan > ! i Contact Information PFOS/PFOA Public Website : www.afcec.af.mil/Home/Environment/PerfluorinatBd-Compounds/ Air Force Civil Engineer Center Public Affairs, 1-86&-725-7617, afcec.pa@us.af.mil; Mr. Mark Kinkade, AFCEC/PA, COMM210395-7410, DSN 969-7410; Mrs. Angelina Casarez, AFCEC/PA, COMM 210-395-7409 US00004847