Congress Members Question Defense Department’s Delay in PFAS Cleanup

A bipartisan group of 36 Congress members has asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain delays in the cleanup of PFAS chemicals at nearly 140 military sites nationwide. The delays, which extend the timelines for cleanup by an average of five years and in some cases by almost a decade, have been attributed to "an evolving understanding of PFAS conditions" and additional investigation based on new drinking-water standards. The contaminants, known as "forever chemicals," are linked to serious diseases including cancer. Cleanup efforts at military installations across the country have been hampered by the scale of contamination and lack of available cleanup technology. Congress members expressed alarm over the delays, citing the harm caused to service members' families and surrounding communities. The Defense Department has not yet responded to a request for comment on the matter.

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