A bit of environmental research.
The Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP), part of the Superfund EPC cleanup legislation, authorizes the USAF IRP (Installation Restoration Program). The USAF IRP investigates and cleans up contamination at USAF installations.
The Phase 1 IRP study results for Eglin Air Force Base were issued in 1981. Phase 1 consisted of public records searches and personnel interviews to identify hazardous waste sites, and was conducted by ENGINEERING-SCIENCE INC of ATLANTA GA.
Some identified issues:
A) C-6 radar facility ground contamination. The C-6 SPACE DETECTION AND TRACKING SYSTEM (SPADATS) radar site has been contaminated with TCE, as well as other volatile organic compounds and inorganics of lesser concern. The nearest drinking water wells are 3 miles south of C-6, in Portland, Florida. The Air Force is conducting annual monitoring of the groundwater, and has determined as of 2002 that the contamination is too far from residential areas to present a public health hazard.
B) Agent Orange contamination: The US Air Force used the C-52A Herbicide Exposure Unit to evaluate effectiveness of spray equipment for Herbicide Orange, Purple, Blue and White, as well as fuel, oil and Malathion.
Multiple sites on Eglin land have been declared contaminated, including the now-inactive Mullet Creek Drum Disposal site. Pesticides, dioxins, chlorides, petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals were found at MCDD. Some cleanup was performed in 1988, when 663 drums and 120 cubic yards of debris were removed.
The Air Force deemed no further action was required, due to the limited access to C-52A-HEU imposed by topography, dense vegetation, locked gates and security personnel.
The C-52A Aerial Overspray Area was a secondary test site. Primary contaminants are TCDD and arsenic. Because of limited public access to the area (topography, dense vegetation, locked gates and security personnel), the US Air Force determined no further action was required.
C) Hardstand 7 was used to load herbicides into aircraft. The site is secured with chain-link fences and locked gates, and some interim corrective measure have been implemented.
D) Radioactive contamination: Site C-74 and the Isotope Burial Area were used to test bullets containing Zinc 65, which decays into a non-radioactive form of copper. No radiation hazard has been detected.
E) Depleted Uranium - Test site C-64 is used for explosive tests, drop tests, bullet impact tests and DU ammo tests. The site is fenced and locked, with posted "controlled area" signs. Quarterly monitoring indeicated levels of uranium exceeding background levels, but levels appear to trend "below regulatory concern." The USAF removed DU fragments in 1999, and 24 cubic feed of DU-contaminated soil in 2000. Because of the public access restrictions, Eglin will be taking no further action at this site. Similar conditions exist at DU Test Area C-74L.
F) There is a Low-level Radioactive Waste Site west of Site A-15 near the center of Santa Rosa Island. The site was used to dispose of missile fragments, metallic waste, 55 gallon drums and batteries. Access to the site is restricted by armed guard and barbed wire by land, but not by sea. Some contaminants (not including the batteries) were removed. Radioactive waste from a BOMARC missile was mostly eliminated in 1993.
G) Biological weapons testing. Classified documents reviewed by the ATSDR indicate that live biological weapons were tested, researched and stored at Eglin Air Force Base from the 1950s through the 1960s. The ATSDR report indicated that there was no continued threat from these tests.
SOURCE:
23 January 2003 report: "ATSDR releases for public comment its public health assessment on the Eglin Air Force Base site, Fort Walton Beach, Fla" - http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NEWS/displaynews.asp?PRid=2114
report: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/PHA/eglin/egl_p1.html
report, pg2: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/PHA/eglin/egl_p2.html
The EPA has determined that no further federal action (NFFA) will be taken at USAF EGLIN AFB ARMAMENT DIVISION as of 2007.
The Phase 1 IRP study results for Eglin Air Force Base were issued in 1981. Phase 1 consisted of public records searches and personnel interviews to identify hazardous waste sites, and was conducted by ENGINEERING-SCIENCE INC of ATLANTA GA.
Some identified issues:
A) C-6 radar facility ground contamination. The C-6 SPACE DETECTION AND TRACKING SYSTEM (SPADATS) radar site has been contaminated with TCE, as well as other volatile organic compounds and inorganics of lesser concern. The nearest drinking water wells are 3 miles south of C-6, in Portland, Florida. The Air Force is conducting annual monitoring of the groundwater, and has determined as of 2002 that the contamination is too far from residential areas to present a public health hazard.
B) Agent Orange contamination: The US Air Force used the C-52A Herbicide Exposure Unit to evaluate effectiveness of spray equipment for Herbicide Orange, Purple, Blue and White, as well as fuel, oil and Malathion.
Multiple sites on Eglin land have been declared contaminated, including the now-inactive Mullet Creek Drum Disposal site. Pesticides, dioxins, chlorides, petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals were found at MCDD. Some cleanup was performed in 1988, when 663 drums and 120 cubic yards of debris were removed.
The Air Force deemed no further action was required, due to the limited access to C-52A-HEU imposed by topography, dense vegetation, locked gates and security personnel.
The C-52A Aerial Overspray Area was a secondary test site. Primary contaminants are TCDD and arsenic. Because of limited public access to the area (topography, dense vegetation, locked gates and security personnel), the US Air Force determined no further action was required.
C) Hardstand 7 was used to load herbicides into aircraft. The site is secured with chain-link fences and locked gates, and some interim corrective measure have been implemented.
D) Radioactive contamination: Site C-74 and the Isotope Burial Area were used to test bullets containing Zinc 65, which decays into a non-radioactive form of copper. No radiation hazard has been detected.
E) Depleted Uranium - Test site C-64 is used for explosive tests, drop tests, bullet impact tests and DU ammo tests. The site is fenced and locked, with posted "controlled area" signs. Quarterly monitoring indeicated levels of uranium exceeding background levels, but levels appear to trend "below regulatory concern." The USAF removed DU fragments in 1999, and 24 cubic feed of DU-contaminated soil in 2000. Because of the public access restrictions, Eglin will be taking no further action at this site. Similar conditions exist at DU Test Area C-74L.
F) There is a Low-level Radioactive Waste Site west of Site A-15 near the center of Santa Rosa Island. The site was used to dispose of missile fragments, metallic waste, 55 gallon drums and batteries. Access to the site is restricted by armed guard and barbed wire by land, but not by sea. Some contaminants (not including the batteries) were removed. Radioactive waste from a BOMARC missile was mostly eliminated in 1993.
G) Biological weapons testing. Classified documents reviewed by the ATSDR indicate that live biological weapons were tested, researched and stored at Eglin Air Force Base from the 1950s through the 1960s. The ATSDR report indicated that there was no continued threat from these tests.
SOURCE:
23 January 2003 report: "ATSDR releases for public comment its public health assessment on the Eglin Air Force Base site, Fort Walton Beach, Fla" - http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NEWS/displaynews.asp?PRid=2114
report: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/PHA/eglin/egl_p1.html
report, pg2: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/PHA/eglin/egl_p2.html
The EPA has determined that no further federal action (NFFA) will be taken at USAF EGLIN AFB ARMAMENT DIVISION as of 2007.