The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a scientific assessment to determine the potential link between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure during military service and the risk of kidney cancer among Veterans. This crucial review, enacted under the PACT Act, aims to evaluate whether kidney cancer should be considered a presumptive service-connected condition for Veterans who may have been exposed to PFAS during their military careers.
PFAS, a class of over 12,000 chemicals, has been widely used in military settings since the early 1970s, primarily in firefighting foams. The chemicals are known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks, including cancer, immune system suppression, and developmental effects. PFAS exposure has been linked to various forms of cancer, including kidney, testicular, and bladder cancers, leading to growing concerns about the long-term health implications for military service members and their families.
The VA's assessment will follow the guidance of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, considering available peer-reviewed literature, veteran claims data, and other critical information. The goal is to evaluate whether kidney cancer should be categorized as a presumptive condition for PFAS-exposed Veterans, making it easier for these individuals to receive benefits without needing to prove direct causation between their service and illness.
Military personnel have been exposed to PFAS for decades, particularly through Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam used extensively at military bases to combat fuel fires. PFAS contamination has been detected in the soil and groundwater around numerous military installations, including those in the U.S. and overseas. The chemicals seep into drinking water sources, posing health risks to service members and nearby civilian populations.
Studies indicate that military service members may experience significantly higher exposure levels than the general population, particularly those who worked in firefighting roles or were stationed at heavily contaminated bases. Communities near military installations have also faced elevated risks, with Veterans and their families unknowingly drinking PFAS-contaminated water for years.
One of the most well-documented cases of PFAS exposure is at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, where water contamination from the 1950s to the 1980s exposed thousands of Veterans and their families to harmful chemicals. This exposure has been linked to various cancers and chronic health conditions. The Camp Lejeune case paved the way for a greater understanding of PFAS-related health risks, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive investigations.
This VA review is part of a broader effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to address the impact of toxic exposures on Veterans and their families. The initiative aligns with the Biden Cancer Moonshot and the President’s Unity Agenda, which aim to improve cancer research and treatment while addressing environmental and toxic exposures.
Since the signing of the PACT Act, the VA has taken significant steps to expand health care and benefits for Veterans affected by toxic exposures. The PACT Act has led to the presumptive inclusion of more than 300 conditions, including various cancers such as head, neck, gastrointestinal, and reproductive cancers. For Vietnam Veterans, conditions such as hypertension and melanoma have also been included.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of the assessment, stating, "At VA, we want to understand the health conditions that Veterans are living with so we can provide them with all of the benefits they deserve... Veterans should not wait for the outcome of this review to apply for the benefits and care they deserve."
While the VA's scientific assessment is underway, PFAS exposure continues to be a growing concern for Veterans and military families. Military spouses and children often lived on or near contaminated bases, raising fears that their exposure may result in long-term health effects, particularly in children born during or after a service member’s deployment.
Veterans who believe military service has negatively impacted their health should not wait for the VA’s assessment outcome to apply for care and benefits. The VA is encouraging all Veterans exposed to toxic substances, particularly those who served in areas known for PFAS contamination, to seek support now. Claims for disability compensation can be submitted on a case-by-case basis, even if a condition has not yet been officially designated as presumptive.
For many Veterans, the connection between PFAS exposure and kidney cancer could be a critical step in receiving long-overdue care. The scientific review may clarify PFAS exposure and set a precedent for addressing other potential health risks associated with military service.
