Sioux City, Iowa — A U.S. military report finds high levels of groundwater contamination at the Iowa Air National Guard Base in Sioux City. The chemicals are linked to firefighting foams and can increase the risk of some cancers and fertility issues.
David Cwiertny leads the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination at the University of Iowa and reviewed the report.
It’s feared toxic PFAS chemicals could be migrating offsite. At one hot spot, PFAS in the groundwater tested at more than 100 times the health advisory set by the EPA. Cwiertny says more questions need to be answered.
According to the report, the base does not use the groundwater for drinking, but the chemicals are likely drifting offsite. An Iowa National Guard spokesman says more testing is needed to determine potential impacts to the community. The final report is due out in April.
