US Veterans Show Higher Blood Levels of PFAS Than Civilians, Study Finds

A new peer‑reviewed study led by Brown University has found that U.S. military veterans exhibit significantly higher blood levels of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so‑called “forever chemicals,” than civilians. The research, which compared blood samples from veterans with those from a civilian cohort, points to the extensive use of PFAS‑containing firefighting foam on military training ranges and during emergency responses as a primary source of exposure. Groundwater, surface water, and soil samples collected around several bases revealed some of the highest PFAS concentrations nationwide, underscoring the environmental legacy of these chemicals.

The study’s authors emphasize that PFAS are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time, raising concerns about potential health risks for service members who served at contaminated sites. While the problem has been recognized for more than a decade, this is the first systematic comparison of PFAS burdens between veterans and the general public. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that military personnel may face elevated exposure to hazardous substances, prompting calls for further investigation and mitigation efforts at former training and operational sites.