Base Background
The military approved construction for Patuxent River Naval Air Station following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and the base officially opened in 1943. This site soon became a major employer in the area and one of the Navy’s most important bases. NAS Patuxent River is currently home to over 50 tenants, including the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and Naval Air Systems Command. Development, research, testing, and engineering are among their main missions, and these functions support a variety of land and air fleets.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the toxins associated with this military location and the potential effects of exposure.*
| Toxin | Potential Effects | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) | Potential Effects | - | Pancreatitis, Aplastic anemia, Acute tubular necrosis | - |
| Pesticides/Insecticides | Potential Effects | Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Contact dermatitis Irritant, Contact dermatitis Allergic | Testicular cancer, Renal (kidney) cancer, Porphyria toxic, Photosensitivity, Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Childhood Leukemias, Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma | Wilm's Tumor, Vasculitis, Thyroid disorders Hypothyroidism, Thyroid cancer, Thrombocytopenic purpura, Soft tissue sarcoma, Rheumatoid arthritis, Retinoblastoma, Pneumonia, Melanoma, Laryngeal cancer, Esophageal cancer, Congenital malformations general, Cirrhosis, Cervical cancer, Bronchitis chronic, Bronchitis acute, Alzheimer's, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) |
| Solvents (misc.) | Potential Effects | Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Contact dermatitis Irritant | Lung cancer | Vasculitis, Seizures, Rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis |
Sewage treatment plant sludge, cesspool wastes, spent oil absorbents, paints, thinners, and photo lab wastes were also found on the site. If you were stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station and later experienced adverse health effects, you may be eligible for compensation.
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.
