The DOD recently delayed the deadline for PFAS cleanup at nearly 140 military installations, according to a New York Times report. The delays vary in length but span up to ten years, giving bases more time to remove the dangerous chemicals from the land.  

Military installations have been putting PFAS “forever chemicals” into their environment since the 1970s, when firefighting foam, including the chemicals, were used extensively in military drills. Contamination has been reported across the country in communities with neighboring installations, Newsweek reported. 

The EPA has been shifting priorities on PFAS remediation under the Trump administration, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin extending PFAS deadlines across the public and private sectors. 

Army photo by Christopher Parr