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'I am not surprised': Reaction from employees union, residents to tainted water wells on NAS JAX

A government report revealed that NAS Jacksonville has polluted groundwater. Turns out, it is a result from decades of using a firefighting foam commonly called PFOA or PFOS.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The community is reacting after the Health and Human Services and Department of Defense (DOD) issued a report that NAS Jacksonville has polluted groundwater. Turns out, it is a result from decades of using a firefighting foam commonly called PFOA or PFOS.

Now, the question is how badly has it affected the soil and groundwater behind the gates of the military base?

In 2016, the DOD tested 17 water monitoring wells on NAS Jacksonville and they all had high levels of pollutants chemicals found in the foam used for firefighting.

"It is certainly a concern when you start talking about health problems," Tony Wirth, a representative with the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers saud,

His union represents a number of workers on base.

"It does not a surprise to me because a lot of times, things like this happens," he said. "And you don't find out for years after."

The EPA recommended level for the chemicals is 70 parts per trillion; it is a recommendation which means no enforceable action.

The test results at the base were as high as 1.3 million parts per trillion that is 19,000 times higher than the recommended level.

"It doesn't surprise me any," Kathy Finn said. "There has been a lot of illness over there."

In 2007, Finn purchased a home near NAS, not too far from the runways. She said the neighborhood would always talk about storm water runoff and what's in the water.

"We used to talk about it as parents, kids were getting sick. Is the base the problem I wouldn't know, but we talked about it all the time," she said.

In 2014, Finn was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.

Finn said two years after she sold her home, the new buyer was diagnosed with with breast cancer.

"Coincidental? I don't know,' Finn said.

Wirth said his union will request a copy of the DOD testing and its results and it will be reviewed by their safety committee.

He said safety is paramount.

On Your Side requested a detailed report of the lab results of the 17 wells. We want to know what type of chemicals were identified. The Navy has yet to respond to the request.

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