CAFB officials explain MMRP soil testing at town hall meeting

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base officials released the results of the Military Munitions Response Program initial study at a town hall meeting Aug. 20.

Initial sampling showed the levels of lead in Columbus AFB Housing soil is below residential screening levels, but the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were higher than the Environmental Protection Agency residential screening levels.

Dr. Doug Cox, senior toxicologist with the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment, said initial screening results were insufficient to define the site risk. Doctor Cox said PAH's are associated with skin irritation and (cancer in experimental animals) with long-term exposure to high levels of PAH.

PAH's are a group of over 100 different chemicals commonly found in the environment. PAHs are formed by burning coal, oil, gas, garbage, or other organic substances like tobacco and charbroiled meat.

PAH's are generally fairly inert - insoluble compounds that don't easily migrate through soil and are poorly absorbed into vegetation. For instance, Doctor Cox said vegetables and fruits grown in the soil on-base are safe to eat.

Many people are exposed to PAHs on a daily basis through tobacco smoke or occupational exposure. In the past, PAHs were used extensively in the manufacturing of clay targets.

The PAH's found in Columbus AFB Housing soil is attributed by officials to a skeet range located in the area during the 1940's and early 1950's. Doctor Cox said if housing members encounter pieces of the used skeet, it is safe to pick up and throw them away, and they are not hazardous materials.

Col. Barre Seguin, 14th Flying Training Wing commander and base housing resident, said his number one priority is to take care of Airmen and their families.

"What we can say as of right now, is based on the initial results it is safe to live in our base housing," Colonel Seguin said.

The colonel said additional testing will be accomplished to greater define the PAH amount at Columbus AFB and to better understand the way forward. Housing residents will be kept informed by Pinnacle Family Housing and Columbus AFB as information is gathered.