HONOLULU — The Navy’s latest test results for PFAS showed they are above DOH Environmental Action Levels and EPA Regional Screening Levels, according to a release. 

The test results come from soil samples taken at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Dec. 15, 2022, after the Navy spilled 1,100 gallons of Aqueous Film Forming Foam concentrate in November.

What You Need To Know

  • The Navy spilled 1,100 gallons of toxic fire suppressant, known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam or AFFF, at the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility on Nov. 29

  • The latest test results from soil samples taken on Dec. 15 show PFAS above the Hawaii Department of Health's Environmental Action Levels

  • In December, the Navy excavated soil from the spill site and covered it with asphalt

  • Now, the Navy said it would work with DOH to determine what actions are required to complete the spill cleanup

AFFF is a fire suppressant that contains per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS), which are known as forever chemicals because they are very slow to degrade. PFAs increase the risk of certain cancers, high blood pressure in pregnant women and other health problems.  

The Hawaii Department of Health also collected soil samples in December, but it has not received the results. 

Immediately after the spill in November, DOH took samples from excavated soil that also showed PFAS in the ground near the spill in excess of the DOH’s Environmental Action Levels.

In December, the Navy excavated soil from the spill site and covered it with asphalt. 

In the release, the Navy said it would coordinate with DOH to determine what actions are now required to complete the spill cleanup. 

Along with the soil samples, the Navy and DOH have been collecting samples from 11 groundwater-monitoring locations near the AFFF spill. Last month, the Navy released results from these tests, which did not show PFAS in excess of DOH’s Environmental Action Levels. 

In February, the Navy released groundwater sample results from December, which again did not show PFAS in excess of DOH’s Environmental Action Levels. 

The results for the groundwater and soil samples may be viewed on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s website. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.

What You Need To Know