UPDATE: 179th Airlift Wing: Previous study showed low risk for health issues tied to contamination

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information from the public affairs office.

A previous study about possible contamination at the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard determined the health threat was low, according to a statement released Friday by the public affairs office.

Further, the release said the city of Mansfield was notified in October 2020 of a soil and groundwater site investigation at the base from September 2017 through January 2020.

"A draft final report from the National Guard Bureau determined the 179th Airlift Wing as low risk due to soil permeability and distance to drinking water sources; the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency concurred with the report recommendations," the statement said.

At its Jan. 17 meeting, Mansfield City Council voted to hire outside counsel for a lawsuit concerning contamination at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, related primarily to foam being used by the ANG's firefighters.

In a follow-up story, Christopher Brown, deputy law director, told the News Journal city officials had learned of the contamination in the last month.

"We were contacted by an outside law firm," Brown said. "There's a group of law firms that is representing 190 other communities."

Brown issued a press release late on the afternoon of Jan. 20, announcing the city's intent to file a lawsuit against such companies as 3M, Chemours, DuPont and others for "manufacturing products that they knew contained toxic chemicals that could easily spread throughout the environment and contaminate natural resources."

Mayor Tim Theaker clarified Brown's comments, saying city officials did not learn of the possible severity of the contamination until recently.

"The way that I remember is they (base officials) did tell us there was a study, and there was nothing to really worry about," Theaker said. "Then this law firm comes in and says that there is contamination. The severity is what we found out about."

Brown said the outside law firm referenced information from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Defense about per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFTAS), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-octane sulfonate (PFOS), which were found at the Air National Guard base on city-owned property.

The contaminants are used in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting agent used to control and extinguish Class B fires. It is typically used at fire training centers, airports and military bases such as the 179th.

According to Brown's press release, AFFF can be made without PFOA, PFOS or their precursor chemicals.

Main source of contaminants found in foam used to fight fires

"I would say that is the main source of the contaminants, specifically as far as this lawsuit is concerned," Brown said.

Mansfield City Council has met in executive session in parts of the last two meetings since learning of the contamination.

"No other participants will be joining us," Brown said. "It's different from a class action suit. It's called multi-district litigation, similar to opioid litigation that has been going on."

Brown said he does not have a dollar figure the city will be seeking.

"We still need to do a little bit more investigation work to see how expansive the contamination is," he said.

In the press release, Brown said, "As a direct result of their act and omissions, these companies have caused significant harm to the city and its residents. These companies are responsible for restoring to the city the enormous costs and expenses associated with redressing the injuries the city has suffered as a result of the ongoing PFAS contamination of the Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport."

Health risks associated with PFAS exposure include decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women; developmental delays in children; increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney and testicular; and reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.

Brown said he did not know of anyone possibly affected by exposure to the contaminants, adding none of them have been found in city water.

"We want to make sure these people are held accountable and make sure the airport is a safe place for all to use," the deputy law director said.

Theaker added the city does not get drinking water from the airport.

179th to stay on top of situation

According to the statement released Friday afternoon, the base will continue to monitor the situation.

"The Ohio National Guard will continue to partner with our local community, state regulatory authorities and other federal agencies to comply with environmental protection laws," the statement said. "The safety and health of the community in which we have lived and operated since 1948 are our priority, and we will continue to maintain transparency."

Information related to the site investigation is available at the Mansfield-Richland County Public Library.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 179th Airlift Wing points to study showing low threat to health