At a glance
Region 10 covers PFAS sites in Alaska and Washington State. An overview appears below for each site.
Fairbanks North Star Borough (AK) near Eielson Air Force Base
Region 10 contact
Rhonda S. Kaetzel, Ph.D., DABT
(206) 553-0530
The Air Force is investigating historical use of AFFF at the Eielson Air Force Base. This area is located 20 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. In 2015, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) were found at levels higher than the EPA Health Advisory in wells on base and in the nearby Moose Creek community. The Air Force is treating on base wells to remove PFAS and providing alternate water to over 170 homes in Moose Creek. In Polaris Lake, PFAS exceed Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's surface water levels. Alaska Fish and Game measured PFAS in fish in the lake. ATSDR provided technical assistance in this effort.
Polaris Lake is closed to sport fishing and will not be stocked until additional information is available.
ATSDR and our cooperative agreement partner, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS), assisted in public meetings. Health effects that may be linked to PFAS were discussed.
The Moose Creek community was chosen to be one of ATSDR's exposure assessment (EA) sites for 2020. The main goal of these EAs is to let the community know about the PFAS levels in their bodies. ATSDR and ADHSS will continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information about Moose Creek wells and fishing in nearby lakes, visit:
Fairbanks Regional Fire Training Center (AK)
The City of Fairbanks, Alaska, is investigating the use of PFAS–containing AFFF at the Regional Fire Training Center. In 2016, the City sampled for PFAS in drinking water wells of nearby homes. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) were found at levels higher than the EPA Health Advisory. The City is providing bottled water to affected residents and has connected some properties to the municipal water system. Golden Heart Utilities, the local Fairbanks Sewer and Water subsidiary, measured PFAS in bio solids (compost) and stopped distribution.
Since 2016, ATSDR and ADHSS assisted in public meetings to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure. ADHSS provided technical assistance to the local wastewater utility to assess risks of using bio solids. ATSDR and ADHSS will continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information, visit:
Fairbanks International Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS–containing AFFF for training and emergencies at the Fairbanks International Airport. In 2017, PFAS were found in groundwater wells and surface water on airport property. These were also found in nearby private drinking water wells. The combined level of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) was above the EPA Health Advisory level in some private wells. The airport is connecting residences to the municipal water system.
ATSDR and ADHSS participated in public meetings. The health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure were discussed. ATSDR and ADHSS continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
For more information visit the following web sites
Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, Utqiagvik (Barrow) (AK)
The Navy is investigating the historical use of PFAS-containing AFFF at the Naval Artic Research Laboratory (NARL) in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska. The NARL is near Lake Imikpuk. Whaling crews from the Iñupiat community collected ice from the lake for drinking water. The Navy sampled the lake for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). PFOA was detected above the EPA Health Advisory in 4 of 5 samples. Signs discouraging use were installed at areas commonly accessed. Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation treats water from the Isatkoak Lagoon for drinking water. This is also contaminated with PFAS, unrelated to contamination at NARL.
ATSDR and ADHSS assisted in public meetings and outreach to City and Tribal leadership to:
- Discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure.
- Assist in finding alternative water sources for whaling crews.
ATSDR and ADHSS continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
Gustavus Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and City of Gustavus are investigating the use of PFAS–containing AFFF at or near the Gustavus airport in Southeast Alaska. In fall of 2018, they sampled private drinking water wells around the airport. Twelve business or private drinking water wells with PFOA were found to be above the former Alaska Department of Conservation Action Level. The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is providing water from an alternate source to anyone needing it.
ATSDR and ADHSS assisted in a public meeting and outreach to residents. ADHSS is writing a Letter Health Consultation to document exposures and potential health effects. ATSDR's partners at the Northwest Pediatric Environmental Health Specialties Unit (PEHSU) provided technical and clinical assistance to residents and clinicians.
Dillingham Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS-containing AFFF at the Dillingham Airport. In 2019, they sampled 65 wells. PFAS was found in 35 wells, 7 of which were above the former Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Action Level. The well at Holy Rosary Church exceeded the Action Level and served as a source of water to the community. An alternate water source has been provided.
ADHSS assisted in a public meeting to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure.
King Salmon Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS-containing AFFF at the King Salmon Airport. Twenty residential and business drinking water wells were sampled near the airport. One is above the EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation continues to test wells.
ADHSS provided technical assistance to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. They assessed health concerns and provided technical and health education support.
Yakutat Airport (AK)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is investigating the use of PFAS-containing AFFF at the Yakutat Airport. Twelve wells were sampled but none exceeded the EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). More sampling is planned.
ADHSS provided technical assistance to residents and discussed health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure.
Former North Pole Refinery Property, North Pole (AK)
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating historical use of PFAS-containing AFFF at the former North Pole Refinery property. PFAS were detected in groundwater monitoring wells and private wells as co-contaminants of sulfolane. Post-treatment samples from private wells show PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) to be below the EPA Health Advisory.
PFAS levels in Kimberly Lake, downhill from the facility, exceed Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's surface water Action Levels for PFAS. Alaska Fish and Game measured PFAS in fish in Kimberly Lake. As a result:
- The lake is closed to sport fishing.
- It will not be stocked until additional information is available.
In summer, local farms use PFAS-contaminated water on produce. This produce is then provided to local schools.
ADHSS assisted in a public meeting. The topic was the health effects that may be associated with PFAS and sulfolane exposures. ADHSS provided technical assistance to local farms and to Alaska Fish and Game. They evaluated child exposures to food grown at local farms with intermittent and seasonal use of PFAS-contaminated groundwater. No health concerns were found. ADHSS is evaluating exposures to fish in Kimberly Lake and provided interim advice to Alaska Fish and Game regarding fishing in the lake.
For more information visit:
Spokane County (WA) near Fairchild Air Force Base
The Air Force is investigating the use of PFAS-containing AFFF at Fairchild Air Force Base. It is located about 15 miles west of Spokane, Washington.
In 2017, after sampling identified PFAS on base, the Air Force tested municipal and private wells down gradient from the base. The Airway Heights community water system is blending well water. They installed a PFAS removal system, so post-treatment water contains less than EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). As of January 2019, the Air Force sampled 369 drinking water wells, with 90 wells above the EPA Health Advisory for combined PFOA and PFOS (70 parts per trillion, ppt). The Air Force is providing alternate drinking water to private well owners with levels above the EPA Health Advisory. Other alternate water sources are being considered.
ATSDR assisted the Air Force in public meetings and outreach to discuss health effects that may be associated with PFAS exposure. The Airway Heights community was chosen to be one ATSDR's exposure assessment sites in 2019. The primary goal of these exposure assessments is to provide information to the community about the level of PFAS in their bodies. ATSDR and ADHSS will continue to provide technical and health education support upon request.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island/Naval Outlying Field Coupeville (WA)
The Navy continues to investigate the use of PFAS-containing AFFF at the Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island, Washington. This includes Ault Field in Oak Harbor and the Outlying Landing Field in Coupeville.
As of May 2019, the Navy has hosted four phases of sampling at Ault Field (including Area 6) for 98 wells. Two of these wells exceeded the EPA Health Advisory for PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate). Alternate water was provided.
The Navy sampled two phases at the Outlying Landing Field. Seven of the 108 samples exceeded the EPA Health Advisory. Residents received alternate water and will be connected to the city water system. The Navy is putting a treatment system on the city's water system. This is in anticipation of future migration of the plume toward these wells.
ATSDR, Washington State Department of Health (WDOH), the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) at the University of Washington, and the Island County Health Department assisted the Navy in answering PFAS-related health questions individually and at public meetings.