Bill to Help Veterans Exposed to Toxic Materials Needs Revision
Jordan Cade/Environmental Litigation Group, P.C
In recent decades, military duty has been plagued by toxic exposure. U.S. veterans, including those in Anderson County, not only have to worry about external threats, but also have to consider the deadly chemicals in military bases and war zones. To make healthcare more accessible, the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was passed in 2022. While it offered rapid healthcare assistance to veterans affected by toxic agents, it excluded per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), one of the most dangerous and prevalent chemicals in the United States today.
Comprised of over 12,000 synthetic compounds, PFAS can cause reproductive irregularities, developmental delays in children, different types of cancer, and high cholesterol, to name a few. Their practical qualities — like resistance to heat, oil, and water — encouraged manufacturers and the U.S. Armed Forces to use them widely in aircraft, munitions, electronics, missile systems, protective clothing, and more. PFAS in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) was one of its most dangerous applications. The standard fire suppressant employed by civilian and military firefighting teams throughout the country created large amounts of surface run-off that eventually contaminated groundwater supplies in military bases and surrounding communities. Making matters worse, PFAS remain in the environment for long periods and accumulate in the human body, earning them the name “forever chemicals.”
Despite widespread contamination and evidence of harm, the PACT Act does not recognize PFAS-linked illnesses as presumptive conditions that warrant automatic support. As a result, veterans must still prove a connection between their medical condition and service history before receiving government benefits. The PFAS Registry Act of 2023 promises to address this shortcoming by officially recognizing the relationship between PFAS exposure and certain diseases. It would identify at-risk individuals, encouraging them to undergo proactive screenings while facilitating faster access to healthcare and compensation. To this day, however, the registry remains a promising yet unrealized idea.
Toxic Impact on South Carolina and Anderson County Veterans
Even in South Carolina, the threat of PFAS lingers. More than 720 military bases nationwide have been or are suspected of being contaminated with PFAS, including several installations in the state. Fort Jackson, South Carolina’s largest military site, where nearly half of all U.S. Army soldiers receive training, is undergoing federal investigation after significant groundwater contamination was detected. The state is home to nearly 350,000 former service members, while Anderson County has over 12,700. Many of them were assigned to these contaminated bases. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that at least 600,000 veterans regularly consumed drinking water that contained PFAS.
National PFAS Registry: The Healthcare Veterans Deserve
Instead of leaving former service members to navigate the consequences of PFAS exposure on their own, a national PFAS registry provides proactive and ongoing support. It would enable us to identify exactly who is at risk and the extent of these vulnerable communities. Veterans would be fully informed of the threats that they’re facing, prompting them to undergo recommended screenings and treatment. Moreover, the burden of proof would no longer rest solely on their shoulders, but would be bolstered by the institution that enabled their exposure. With this vital link formally established, they would have easier access to healthcare benefits. Eventually, PFAS-related illnesses could be recognized as presumptive conditions.
These benefits would be well within reach if the PFAS Registry Act were passed and federally funded. Department of Defense (DoD) records would pinpoint those who are at risk, while the Department of Veterans Affairs would auto-enroll participants and manage the centralized database. Meanwhile, partnerships with exposure experts, scientists, and advocacy groups would ensure a robust, data-driven, and life-saving system.
After dedicating their lives to our country, this is the type of help our veterans need. They deserve organized, efficient, and preventive healthcare that doesn’t overlook some types of service-related illnesses, even if science has already proven what causes them. The PFAS Registry Act has been stalled for years, but it is long overdue. We cannot hope to properly address an issue until we know exactly who is at risk. A national PFAS registry for veterans is the key to knowledge and appropriate action.
Jordan Cade is an attorney at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., who works closely with veterans and their families to secure compensation for toxic exposure. He is a dedicated advocate for fair access to healthcare and legal support for communities affected by environmental hazards.
