Naval Air Station Cecil Field PFAS Lawsuit [2025 Update]

High Levels of PFAS Detected at Naval Air Station Cecil Field

Naval Air Station (NAS) Cecil Field, located in Jacksonville, Florida, has been identified as a site with significant PFAS contamination due to historical use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) in firefighting exercises.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) was extensively used during firefighting training exercises and emergency response operations to effectively extinguish fuel-based fires involving aircraft.

This practice, common across military installations, led to the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment, as AFFF contains these persistent chemicals.

Over time, the repeated application of AFFF at NAS Cecil Field resulted in significant PFAS contamination of soil and groundwater, posing potential health risks to personnel and nearby communities.

NAS Cecil Field was officially designated as a Superfund site on November 21, 1989, due to extensive contamination from hazardous substances, including petroleum products, solvents, corrosives, compressed gases, pesticides, paints, and thinners.

The EPA and U.S. Navy launched a cleanup effort to remove polluted soil, treat groundwater, and monitor long-term environmental risks.

Groundwater treatment systems were installed, while excavation and disposal methods cleared hazardous materials from key areas.

Some zones required ongoing monitoring and natural degradation processes to break down lingering contaminants.

Despite progress, concerns remain over PFAS contamination from firefighting foam, requiring continued oversight.

In 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), assisted the Navy in addressing PFAS contamination during dewatering activities near a new air traffic control tower at the base.

The contaminated water was treated before being discharged to prevent further soil and water pollution.

The Navy has conducted sampling of drinking water wells in the vicinity to assess PFAS levels and potential exposure risks.

NAS Cecil Field is among several military installations in the Jacksonville area, including NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport, where PFAS contamination has been detected.

According to testing results published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), PFAS concentrations in the on-base groundwater at NAS Cecil Field Complex in 2018 were:

• PFOS + PFOA: 988,600 ppt
• PFOS: 980,000 ppt
• PFOA: 29,000 ppt
• PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid): 250,000 ppt
• PFHxA (Perfluorohexanoic Acid): 53,000 ppt
• PFBS (Perfluorobutanesulfonic Acid): 32,000 ppt
• PFHpA (Perfluoroheptanoic Acid): 9,000 ppt
• PFNA (Perfluorononanoic Acid): 1,200 ppt
• PFDA (Perfluorodecanoic Acid): 120 ppt
• EtFOSAA (N-Ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid): 11 ppt
• PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic Acid): 9.6 ppt
• MeFOSAA (N-Methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid): 8.7 ppt

Some of these PFAS concentrations are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while others are subject to the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR).

The UCMR is a program established by the EPA to monitor emerging contaminants in public water systems that are not yet subject to enforceable drinking water regulations.

It helps identify the presence and concentration of unregulated chemicals, including certain PFAS compounds, to determine whether they pose potential health risks.

Data collected through the UCMR program informs future regulatory decisions, guiding the EPA’s risk assessment and potential establishment of drinking water standards.

Who May Have Been Exposed to PFAS Contamination at NAS Cecil Field?

NAS Cecil Field was a major air base that supported both Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, meaning military personnel, their families, and base employees may have been exposed to detectable levels of PFAS contamination.

As the largest military base in the Jacksonville, Florida area, NAS Cecil Field played a critical role in U.S. naval aviation operations for over 50 years.

After its decommissioning in 1999, Naval Air Station (NAS) Cecil Field was transformed into the Cecil Commerce Center, a civilian, public-use, joint civil-military airfield and industrial park.

This redevelopment has extended potential exposure risks to the civilian sector and contractors working in or near contaminated areas.

Groundwater sampling has detected PFAS contamination in water systems surrounding the base, raising concerns for residents relying on private wells near the former installation.

With PFAS known to persist in the environment, exposure remains a concern for those who lived, worked, or trained at NAS Cecil Field and its surrounding communities.

Potentially exposed groups include:

• Navy and Marine Corps personnel stationed at NAS Cecil Field.
• Military families who lived on or near the base.
• Civilian workers employed at the base before and after its closure.
• Contractors and businesses operating on leased base property.
• Residents using private wells near the base.
• Communities relying on local water systems where detectable levels of PFAS have been found.
• Former aviation personnel and ground crews working in areas of known contamination.

NAS Cecil Field is Among Hundreds of Military Installations with Dangerous PFAS Contamination

NAS Cecil Field in Florida is one of over 700 U.S. military installations facing serious PFAS contamination, a widespread issue tied to decades of firefighting foam use.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has identified over 700 military sites with known or suspected PFAS pollution, posing long-term risks to service members, base workers, and surrounding communities.

At NAS Cecil Field, groundwater testing in 2018 revealed PFOS and PFOA levels far exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new safety limits, signaling a severe environmental hazard.

The health risks linked to PFAS exposure are significant, with studies associating these chemicals with cancer, thyroid disease, immune system suppression, and liver damage.

Former military bases like NAS Cecil Field are of particular concern because contaminants can persist in soil and groundwater for decades, threatening local water supplies and private wells.

While remediation efforts are underway at many DoD sites, the high cost and persistent nature of PFAS make cleanup a long-term challenge.

PFAS Chemicals: An Overview

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of human-made chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s for their ability to resist heat, water, and grease.

These chemicals are found in consumer products such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foams.

The U.S. military has been a significant contributor to PFAS pollution, primarily through its use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) for fire suppression on airfields and military installations.

PFAS do not break down easily, which has led to their accumulation in the environment and human bodies over time.

Exposure to PFAS-contaminated water and soil has been linked to serious health risks, including cancers, liver damage, immune system disorders, and developmental issues.

Due to these concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established new regulations to limit PFAS levels in drinking water, although contamination remains widespread.

Groundwater testing at military sites like NAS Cecil Field has revealed extremely high PFAS concentrations, far exceeding EPA health advisory limits.

Cleanup efforts have been slow and costly, as removing PFAS from water and soil is a complex process.

Scientists and regulators continue to study the long-term effects of PFAS exposure, but communities impacted by contamination are already experiencing health and environmental consequences.

The persistence of PFAS in drinking water, food, and air underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations, remediation efforts, and accountability for those responsible for widespread contamination.

Health Risks of PFAS Exposure

PFAS exposure poses serious health risks due to the bioaccumulative nature of these chemicals, meaning they build up in the body over time instead of breaking down or being eliminated.

Once ingested through contaminated water, food, or air, PFAS can interfere with critical biological functions, disrupting the endocrine system, liver, immune response, and cellular function.

Studies have shown that long-term exposure to even low levels of PFAS can lead to chronic illnesses, developmental issues, and life-threatening diseases.

Because PFAS chemicals do not naturally degrade, repeated exposure results in higher concentrations accumulating in blood, tissues, and vital organs, increasing the risk of serious health complications.

Potential health risks of PFAS exposure include:

• Increased risk of cancer, including kidney, testicular, and liver cancer.
• Immune system suppression, making individuals more vulnerable to infections and diseases.
• Hormonal imbalances, disrupting thyroid function and metabolism.
• Liver damage, leading to elevated cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and metabolic disorders.
• Reproductive issues, including reduced fertility, pregnancy complications, and birth defects.
• Developmental delays in infants and children exposed to PFAS in utero.
• Neurological and cognitive effects, potentially contributing to learning disorders and behavioral issues.
• Increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
• Autoimmune disorders, with links to lupus and other inflammatory diseases.
• Potential link to obesity and metabolic syndrome, affecting long-term health outcomes

Do You Qualify for a NAS Cecil Field PFAS Lawsuit?

Individuals who lived, worked, or served at NAS Cecil Field and were exposed to PFAS-contaminated water may be eligible to pursue legal action.

Military personnel, civilian employees, contractors, and nearby residents who developed health conditions linked to PFAS exposure, such as cancer, thyroid disease, or immune system disorders, could be eligible to file a lawsuit.

The high levels of PFOS and PFOA detected in groundwater at NAS Cecil Field far exceed EPA safety limits, raising serious concerns about long-term health effects.

Lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers aim to hold chemical companies accountable for their role in supplying hazardous firefighting foams to military bases.

If you or a loved one has experienced serious health complications after spending time at or near NAS Cecil Field, you may qualify for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Consulting with an attorney familiar with PFAS litigation can help determine eligibility and next steps.

Gathering Evidence for a PFAS Claim

Building a strong PFAS claim requires thorough and organized evidence to demonstrate exposure and its effects.

Key documents, such as medical records and water testing results, help establish the link between

PFAS contamination and health issues.

Gathering this evidence is essential to support your claim and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Evidence in a PFAS Lawsuit may include:

• Medical records documenting health conditions linked to PFAS exposure
• Water testing results showing PFAS contamination in local or household water sources
• Employment or residency records proving time spent near contaminated sites
• Expert testimony connecting health effects to PFAS exposure
• Environmental reports or studies indicating contamination levels in your area

TorHoerman Law: Investigating PFAS Lawsuits at Naval Air Station Cecil Field

TorHoerman Law is actively investigating PFAS contamination at military bases across the country.

With extremely high levels of PFOS and PFOA detected in groundwater, individuals who were exposed may face serious health risks, including cancer, immune disorders, and liver damage.

Our firm is committed to holding PFAS manufacturers accountable for the widespread contamination caused by Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used at military installations.

If you or a loved one were exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water at or around Naval Air Station Cecil Field, contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

Use the chat feature on this page to get in touch with our law firm and for a free case evaluation.

Lawyers are actively investigating the potential for PFAS Lawsuits against manufacturers who may be responsible for rampant contamination at and around military sites.