Groundwater 'Concerning' levels of toxic contamination recorded near RAF bases

RAF bases are hotspots of toxic "forever chemical" pollution in groundwater, analysis of Ministry of Defence documents has revealed.

- Leana Hosea, Rachel Salvidge

Moreover, some of the highest concentrations of these chemicals in British drinking water sources are near RAF bases, official sampling results obtained by the Guardian and Watershed Investigations show.

PFAS, known as forever chemicals because of their indestructible properties, include PFOS and PFOA, which are toxic and linked to cancers, thyroid disease and fertility problems. They have been banned, but more than 10,000 PFAS are still in use, many of which are thought to have unknown toxic effects.

"The concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in the groundwaters at these sites is extremely concerning," said Cecilia MacLeod, an environmental geochemist and remediation expert.

"If there is no intervention - ie, a remediation system installed to treat the groundwater and prevent off-site migration - then the MoD could be considered to be breaking the Environmental Protection Act," she said.

Environmental reports commissioned by the MoD between 2017 and 2022 have uncovered high levels of these banned forever chemicals.

Levels of PFOS and PFOA have been recorded as high as 7,700 nanograms per litre (ng/l) in the groundwater at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, with high levels also found at RAF Coningsby and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. The maximum allowable level for drinking water in England is 100ng/l, above which water may pose health risks.