Fairchild Air Force Base

Base Background

Location Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, United States
Years of Operation 1942-Present

Fairchild Air Force Base was established in 1942 as Spokane Army Air Depot, serving as a critical repair and supply depot during World War II. Today, the base hosts the 92nd Air Refueling Wing , the 141st Air Refueling Wing, and the 336th Training Group. The base has been identified as a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency due to significant contamination. 

Toxic Exposure at Fairchild AFB 

Fairchild AFB has a long history of contamination, with multiple toxic substances identified over the years in the soil and groundwater, including PFAS and TCE. Veterans and family members who lived at Fairchild Air Force Base after 1967 are likely to have been exposed to contaminated water. 

PFAS Contamination

From the 1970s until 2016, the Air Force regularly used AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) containing PFOS and PFOA for firefighting and training exercises. By August 2016, the Air Force began replacing PFOS-based and legacy AFFF products with new, more environmentally responsible formulas.

In 2017, monitoring for PFAS began at Fairchild AFB, confirming contamination in wells. PFAS had leached into the soil and contaminated groundwater both on-base and in surrounding communities. 

Airway Heights Water Contamination

In 2017, Fairchild AFB acknowledged responsibility for widespread drinking water contamination in Airway Heights, northeast of the base. In 2019, the CDC and ATSDR conducted research in Airway Heights as part of a nationwide study to assess public exposure to PFAS and related health effects. Tests revealed that levels of some PFAS in the blood of Airway Heights residents were up to 56 times higher than national levels – potentially linked to drinking water contamination.

PFAS are linked to serious medical conditions, including cancer and other diseases that may take decades to develop after exposure. If you developed related health issues after living or working at the base, you may be eligible for compensation. Get a free case evaluation here to explore your legal options. 

Known Toxins

The following chart outlines the medical conditions associated with toxic exposure at this base, classified by the strength of evidence required (strong, good or limited).* Please keep in mind that it is not a complete list.

Toxin Potential Effects
Strong Good Limited
1,2-dichloroethylene Potential Effects - - -
Benzene Potential Effects Myelodysplastic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Aplastic anemia Scleroderma, Renal (kidney) cancer, Pre­term delivery, Menstrual disorders, Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias Peripheral neuropathy, Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Nasopharyngeal/Sino­Nasal cancer, Lung cancer, Immune suppression, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Cardiac congenital malformations, Breast cancer, Brain cancer ­adult, Asthma ­irritant
Cadmium Potential Effects Renal stones, Osteoporosis, Itai­itai disease, Chronic renal disease, Acute tubular necrosis Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Prostate cancer, Pneumonia, Nephrotic syndrome, COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cardiomyopathy, Anemia ­ hemolytic Testicular cancer, Soft tissue sarcoma, Renal (kidney) cancer, Pulmonary fibrosis, Pulmonary edema, Peripheral neuropathy, Pancreatic cancer, Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate), Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Metal fume fever, Menstrual disorders, Immune suppression, Hypoactivity, Hypertension, Genito­urinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias), Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation, Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial, Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Brain cancer ­adult, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias, ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity, Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
Carbon tetrachloride Potential Effects Steatosis (fatty liver), Cirrhosis, Acute tubular necrosis, Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) Scleroderma, Porphyria ­ toxic, Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's, Childhood Leukemias, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias, Aplastic anemia, Adult­-Onset Leukemias Renal (kidney) cancer, Pancreatitis, Pancreatic cancer, Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate), Nephrotic syndrome, Melanoma, Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Brain cancer ­adult
Chloroethene Potential Effects - - -
Chromium Potential Effects Skin ulceration, Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders, Nasopharyngeal/Sino­Nasal cancer, Nasal septal perforation, Nasal polyps, Cholestasis, Bronchitis ­ acute, Asthma ­ allergic Stomach cancer, Pulmonary fibrosis, Psychiatric disturbances, Pneumonitis hypersensitivity, Pneumonia, Photosensitivity, Peripheral neuropathy, Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium, COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Chronic renal disease, Bronchitis ­ acute, Brain cancer ­adult, ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity, Acute tubular necrosis Soft tissue sarcoma, Skeletal malformations, Renal (kidney) cancer, Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Prostate cancer, Peripheral neuropathy, Pancreatic cancer, Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome), Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Metal fume fever, Immune suppression, Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Esophageal cancer, Erectile dysfunction, Delayed growth, COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Bladder cancer, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias, Adult­-Onset Leukemias, Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
Diesel Fuel Potential Effects - - -
Ethylbenzene Potential Effects - - -
Lead Potential Effects Seizures, Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Peripheral neuropathy, Hypertension, Gout, Developmental Delay, Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation, Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium, Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis, Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Chronic renal disease, Behavioral problems, Anemia ­ hemolytic, ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity, Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility), Psychiatric disturbances, Pre­term delivery, Porphyria ­ toxic, Pancreatic cancer, Nephrotic syndrome, Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hearing loss, Glomerulonephritis, Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Delayed growth, Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmias, Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty) Wilm's Tumor, Uterine cancer, Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism, Stomach cancer, Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Osteoporosis, Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome), Lung cancer, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Erectile dysfunction, Diabetes ­ Type II, Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial, Colo­rectal cancer, Carcinoid, Breast cancer, Brain cancer ­adult, Bladder cancer, Alzheimer's, Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty), ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
Mercury Potential Effects Peripheral neuropathy, Hearing loss, Behavioral problems, Acute tubular necrosis Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones ­ FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens), Glomerulonephritis, Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Congenital malformations ­ general, Chronic renal disease, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Aplastic anemia, Anemia ­ hemolytic Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism, Scleroderma, Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility), Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome), Nephrotic syndrome, Myocardial ischemia, Menstrual disorders, Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis
Petroleum Potential Effects - - Multiple myeloma, Laryngeal cancer
Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) Potential Effects - - -
Silver Potential Effects - - Chronic renal disease
Tetrachloroethene (PERC) Potential Effects - - -
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPE) Potential Effects - - -
Trichloroethanes Potential Effects - - Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones ­ FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens)
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Potential Effects Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) Scleroderma, Renal (kidney) cancer, Psychiatric disturbances, Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium, Cirrhosis, Childhood Leukemias, Cardiac congenital malformations, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias Trigeminal neuropathy, Testicular cancer, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Raynaud's phenomenon, Prostate cancer, Peripheral neuropathy, Pancreatitis, Pancreatic cancer, Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate), Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Nephrotic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Lung cancer, Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma), Genito­urinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias), Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Choanal atresia, Cervical cancer, Brain cancer ­adult, Adult­-Onset Leukemias, ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity, Acute tubular necrosis
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Potential Effects Rhinitis ­ irritant - -
Zinc Potential Effects Skin ulceration - Testicular cancer

*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.

Fairchild AFB VA Claims and Lawsuits 

Active and retired military personnel and civilians who were stationed or worked at Fairchild Air Force Base and developed health conditions associated with toxic exposure may be entitled to compensation. Affected individuals should: 

  1. Document their time at Fairchild AFB with military records 
  1. Gather medical evidence connecting their health conditions to toxic exposure 
  1. Obtain expert medical opinions establishing a link between their conditions and the known toxins 
  1. File a VA disability claim or pursue litigation 

To win your case, you may need assistance interpreting complex medical and scientific evidence, addressing VA denials and ensuring all deadlines are met for claims or lawsuits. An experienced attorney can fight on your behalf and maximize compensation. 

For a free case evaluation, please call us on 1-888-477-2363. We specialize in disability law and work on a contingency basis, with no upfront fees.