Air Heights: Polluted Water's Impact

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to human health and the planet. It is caused by various factors, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and plastic pollution, among others. Airway Heights, a city in Washington, has faced issues with polluted drinking water, which has resulted in high levels of harmful chemicals in the blood and urine of its residents. The contamination has been linked to the use of firefighting foam at the nearby Fairchild Air Force Base, with the chemicals leaching into the groundwater and affecting private and public wells. While the contaminated wells were removed in 2017, and the city has since reactivated some of its drinking water wells, the incident highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and action to protect public health and ensure access to clean water.

PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Airway Heights was linked to high levels of harmful chemicals in residents' blood and urine

PFAS-contaminated drinking water in Airway Heights, Washington, has been a significant concern for residents and local authorities. The contamination was linked to high levels of harmful chemicals in residents' blood and urine, with potential health risks.

In 2017, the city of Airway Heights discovered that its water supply had been contaminated by chemicals known as PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are widely used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics. They are also found in firefighting foam, which was the source of contamination in Airway Heights, due to their proximity to Fairchild Air Force Base.

The discovery prompted immediate action, and the city switched to a temporary water source from the city of Spokane, ensuring residents had access to safe drinking water. The contaminated wells were removed from service, and bottled water was provided until a long-term solution was implemented.

A recent analysis of samples taken from Airway Heights residents revealed levels of PFAS more than 50 times the national average. This finding highlights the extent of exposure and the potential health risks associated with PFAS contamination. PFAS chemicals can remain in the human body for extended periods, and their slow breakdown means repeated exposure for residents.

The CDC study reported elevated levels of PFAS in the blood and urine of participants, with levels up to 56 times higher than national levels. This contamination has been linked to past drinking water contamination, indicating that the source of exposure was likely the public water supply before June 2017. The long half-lives of certain PFAS chemicals mean that past exposure can contribute to the high levels found in blood samples even years later.

The contamination was caused by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used at Fairchild Air Force Base

Airway Heights is home to the Fairchild Air Force Base. The contamination of drinking water in the area was caused by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which has been used on the base since the 1970s. AFFF was routinely used in firefighter training and, over time, the foam worked its way into the groundwater, affecting nearby municipal wells.

The contamination was only discovered when the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the CDC began selecting exposure assessment sites (EA) and found that Airway Heights residents had PFAS blood levels up to 56 times higher than the national average. This was due to the PFOA and PFOS contamination in their drinking water.

The contaminated Airway Heights drinking water wells were pulled in May 2017, and residents were provided with bottled water until the contamination was cleared in June 2017. The water now meets the EPA's 2016 health advisory for PFAS in drinking water, and the city has reactivated some of its drinking water wells with treatment systems in place.

The Defense Department has long been aware of the dangers of AFFF, with studies conducted as far back as the 1970s showing that the foam was toxic. By the 1980s, animal studies conducted by the Air Force revealed that PFAS chemicals posed environmental and health risks. Despite this knowledge, the use of AFFF continued due to its effectiveness in extinguishing high-heat liquid fuel fires.

The Pentagon has now been directed to halt the use of AFFF and find an alternative, as the cleanup costs of contaminated military installations and nearby communities are mounting. The replacement for AFFF has yet to be determined, and there are concerns about the effectiveness of alternative fire suppressants. However, the health and environmental risks associated with PFAS mean that the phase-out of AFFF is necessary to protect those living on or near military installations.

Long-term exposure to contaminated water may increase the risk of certain cancers, liver damage, and developmental issues

Water pollution is a widespread problem that occurs when harmful substances, often chemicals or microorganisms, contaminate a body of water, making it toxic to humans and the environment. Water is known as a "universal solvent", able to dissolve more substances than any other liquid on Earth. This makes it particularly vulnerable to pollution.

The residents of Airway Heights, home to the Fairchild Air Force Base, faced contaminated drinking water due to the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in firefighter training since the 1970s. This foam contained PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which contaminated the groundwater and affected nearby municipal wells. PFAS exposure has been linked to several health risks, which are discussed below.

Long-term exposure to contaminated water and increased cancer risk

Long-term exposure to contaminated water may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Water sources contaminated with chemicals such as nitrates, uranium, radium, DBPs, and other contaminants have been linked to an increased risk of bladder, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer. For example, there is a positive correlation between chromium exposure and bladder cancer. Additionally, researchers have found associations between nitrate contamination and colorectal cancer.

Liver damage

PFAS exposure, specifically PFOA and PFOS, has been linked to liver damage and disruption of liver function in humans and animals. Prolonged exposure to contaminated water may contribute to the development or progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a common chronic liver condition with a rapidly increasing global prevalence.

Developmental issues

Prenatal exposure to contaminated water, specifically PFOA and PFOS, can have detrimental effects on fetal development, including low birth weight, developmental delays, and impaired immune function in infants. Additionally, exposure to contaminated water has been associated with reproductive issues, including reduced fertility, pregnancy complications, and alterations in hormone levels.

The agricultural sector is a major contributor to water pollution, with agricultural pollution being the top source of contamination in rivers and streams

Airway Heights, home to the Fairchild Air Force Base, has faced issues with contaminated drinking water. PFAS contamination was detected in the drinking water, specifically PFOA and PFOS, which are linked to various health issues, including potential carcinogenic effects, liver damage, developmental issues, and neurological disorders. This contamination was attributed to the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) during firefighter training, which leached into the groundwater, affecting nearby municipal wells.

Agricultural practices have been identified as a significant contributor to water pollution, and in many high-income countries and emerging economies, agricultural pollution is now the primary source of contamination in inland and coastal waters. This shift can be attributed to the expanding agricultural footprint, with the area equipped for irrigation more than doubling from 1961 to 2012, and a substantial increase in livestock production, which now occupies 30% of the planet's land surface.

The agricultural sector discharges large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments, and saline drainage into water bodies. This includes pesticides, such as atrazine, which is commonly detected in surface water, and antibiotics, fungicides, and anti-fouling agents used in aquaculture, which can pollute downstream ecosystems. Additionally, nitrate from agriculture is the most common chemical contaminant in groundwater aquifers globally.

Agricultural pollution has severe consequences for aquatic ecosystems. Eutrophication, caused by the accumulation of nutrients in lakes and coastal waters, impacts biodiversity and fisheries. The Gulf of Mexico, for example, experiences hypoxia due to excess nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. Furthermore, the increased use of agricultural land and the expansion of irrigation practices contribute to the transfer of pollutants into water bodies, further degrading inland and coastal waters.

To mitigate these issues, various techniques can be employed. Implementing buffer strips, or vegetated filter strips along farms and rivers, can effectively reduce pollutant concentrations entering waterways. Additionally, integrated farming systems, where resources are collectively managed, can optimize resource use, reduce pollution, and increase production stability. Diagnosis, prediction, and monitoring are also essential for managing agricultural practices to minimize their harmful impacts on water resources.

Water pollution is jeopardizing human health, with unsafe water killing more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined

Water pollution is a severe issue that poses significant risks to human health. Unsafe water is responsible for more deaths annually than all forms of violence combined, highlighting the critical need to address this global challenge.

Water pollution occurs when contaminants, such as chemicals or microorganisms, render water sources toxic to humans. These contaminants can be broadly categorized into two main groups: chemical and pathogenic. Chemical pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, and plastic debris, while pathogenic contaminants encompass bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

The impact of water pollution on human health is far-reaching and devastating. According to the World Water Development Report 2021, the global consumption of freshwater has increased six-fold in the last century, putting immense pressure on water quality. The report also links industrialization, agricultural production, and urban life to environmental degradation, adversely affecting water bodies.

One of the most common diseases caused by water pollution is diarrhea, which is often transmitted by enteroviruses in contaminated water. However, the consequences of polluted water go beyond gastrointestinal issues. Long-term exposure to contaminated water has been linked to potential carcinogenic effects, with an increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer. Additionally, water pollution has been associated with liver damage and disruption of liver function, and developmental issues such as low birth weight and impaired immune function in infants.

In the case of Airway Heights, the contamination was caused by the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) at the Fairchild Air Force Base, which found its way into the groundwater, affecting nearby municipal wells. The residents of Airway Heights exhibited PFAS blood levels up to 56 times higher than the national average, demonstrating the extent of their exposure to contaminated drinking water. While the water is now below health advisory levels, the long-term health consequences for the residents may persist.

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