RAF bases across the UK have been identified as major hotspots for toxic “forever chemicals” polluting nearby drinking water sources, according to an investigation into Ministry of Defence (MoD) documents.
These chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been linked to severe health problems such as cancer, thyroid disease, and fertility issues.
Despite the banning of two notorious PFAS compounds, PFOS and PFOA, over 10,000 other variants remain in use, with many still under scrutiny for their harmful effects.
Official sampling results, obtained by The Guardian and Watershed Investigations, reveal that concentrations of these chemicals near RAF bases are among the highest found in British drinking water.
At RAF Benson in South Oxfordshire, PFOS and PFOA levels have been recorded at alarmingly high levels, reaching up to 7,700 nanograms per liter (ng/l)—well above the maximum allowable level of 100 ng/l for drinking water in England.
Similar contamination levels have been found at RAF Coningsby and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.
The findings have raised serious concerns among experts, including Dr. David Megson, a PFAS expert at Manchester Metropolitan University, who warned that the total PFAS levels at some sites could exceed 100,000 ng/l, a dangerously high concentration.
While RAF Coningsby is not located in a drinking water zone, the report highlights the risk of contamination spreading through nearby agricultural irrigation systems that use groundwater.
These findings are part of a larger issue across several RAF bases where high PFAS concentrations have been detected in surrounding environments.
One of the most alarming examples is RAF Waddington, which is located within a drinking water supply area. Groundwater contamination levels at the base exceed five times the maximum allowable limit for drinking water.
The potential risks to local communities and military personnel, who may have consumed the tainted water for years, have prompted calls for urgent action.
Prof. Patrick Byrne from Liverpool John Moores University stressed the importance of investigating potential pathways through which these chemicals could enter drinking water supplies.
The MoD has conducted environmental reports on various sites between 2017 and 2022, uncovering dangerously high PFAS levels.
These chemicals were largely used in firefighting foam, which was applied extensively at military bases. However, while PFOS and PFOA have been banned, other PFAS variants continue to be used, and their long-term health effects remain largely unknown.
Despite the clear evidence of contamination, the MoD’s response has been met with skepticism. Although the ministry maintains that it prioritizes safety and adheres to relevant legislation, environmental experts argue that a more comprehensive approach to cleaning up contaminated groundwater is urgently needed.
The MoD has begun monitoring for PFAS compounds at bases like RAF Mildenhall, but experts worry that testing procedures may not be rigorous enough compared to public water suppliers, potentially leaving military personnel and their families at risk.
One veteran, Harry Watts, who served at RAF Brize Norton from 1976 to 1990, expressed his concerns, citing the large number of his former colleagues who have suffered from cancers and other health conditions.
Watts believes that their exposure to contaminated water could have contributed to these illnesses, particularly as firefighting foam was heavily used at the base during his service.
With contamination levels continuing to rise at RAF bases and the widespread use of PFAS remaining a concern, experts urge both the MoD and local authorities to take immediate steps to assess the risks to surrounding communities and ensure that any contaminated water supplies are thoroughly tested and remediated.
