Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and a group of colleagues have raised concerns about the presence of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at military bases in Florida. PFAS exposure has been linked to cancer and other diseases, posing a potential risk to service members and their families.

Rubio and his colleagues have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin, seeking information about PFAS remediation efforts at Florida's military installations and requesting clarity on the health impacts of PFAS exposure. The letter highlights the importance of providing service members and their families with full information on the risks of PFAS and a commitment from the DoD to mitigate any harm caused by PFAS exposure.

"We request a full accounting of the progress for PFAS remediation efforts on each of Florida’s military installations," the letter states.

The letter is jointly signed by Senator Rick Scott and Representatives Kathy Castor, John Rutherford, Carlos Gimenez, Anna Paulina Luna, Gus Bilirakis, Kat Cammack, Scott Franklin, Greg Steube, Bill Posey, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, and Matt Gaetz.

In the letter, the lawmakers express concerns that the current cleanup timelines may not be urgent enough to address the impacts of PFAS on service members, their families, and the communities surrounding contaminated military installations. They request more information on the criteria for the cleanup timeline and how installations are prioritized for action.

The letter also addresses the need for tracking cancer rates among service members exposed to PFAS. The lawmakers request a detailed accounting of the measures being taken to track the health impacts of PFAS, particularly in relation to cancer rates.

Furthermore, the letter asks about the steps the DoD takes to assist service members and their families currently suffering from negative health impacts due to PFAS exposure. It also seeks information on how service members are informed about the potential harm of PFAS exposure and the resources available to them.

The lawmakers inquire about the DoD's progress in meeting the requirements outlined in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to phase out AFFF, a type of firefighting foam that contains PFAS, at all military installations by October 1, 2024.

Lastly, the letter requests an update on the DoD's plan to assess the extent and progression of PFAS plumes that have contaminated groundwater in Florida. The lawmakers emphasize the importance of a comprehensive update on ongoing efforts at each DoD installation in Florida.

In conclusion, Rubio and his colleagues seek answers and a comprehensive update from the DoD regarding PFAS remediation efforts, health impacts, tracking of cancer rates, assistance for affected service members, awareness campaigns, and compliance with regulations. They emphasize the need for timely and adequate information to address the potential risks of PFAS exposure on military installations in Florida.