Samples collected from hydrants could help veterans who were stationed at a former Air Force base in Oscoda, Michigan, get the long-awaited attention they are seeking from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for illnesses caused by poisoned drinking water.<\/p>\n
Veterans and their families were exposed to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in their tap water at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Firefighting crews at the base trained with PFCs, which are used to extinguish flames. The toxic chemicals are linked to cancer as well as kidney, liver, thyroid, gastrointestinal, heart and reproductive problems.<\/p>\n
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) analyzed water found in decades-old fire hydrants at the base. According to the results of the department\u2019s pending report, the water contained high levels of PFCs. Catch basins inside the hydrants were previously connected to the base water system. The water samples were gathered in 2015 from 22 hydrants and a water softener tank.<\/p>\n