RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Sampling results of our water system were found to be above notification levels for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, but there are no immediate health concerns, and the 86th Airlift Wing is implementing mitigation measures.
There is nothing you need to do; you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. If you have specific health questions, consult your medical provider. For additional information, reference the Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS fact sheet here: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_qa_general_4.9.24v1.pdf
Sampling results:
|
Parameters
|
18 Dec 25
|
28 Jan 26
|
Notification Level
|
|
PFOS
|
Not detected
|
Not detected
|
2 ppt*
|
|
PFOA
|
13 ppt
|
11 ppt
|
2 ppt
|
|
PFNA
|
Not detected
|
Not detected
|
5 ppt
|
|
PFHxS
|
24 ppt
|
17 ppt
|
5 ppt
|
|
HFPO-DA
|
Not detected
|
Not detected
|
5 ppt
|
|
PFBS
|
4.4 ppt
|
6.0 ppt
|
N/A
|
|
Hazard Index
|
2.4 (unitless)
|
1.7 (unitless)
|
0.5 (unitless)
|
| *ppt means “parts per trillion”, which is a unit of measure. This is a very tiny amount. To put this in perspective, one part per trillion is the equivalent of approximately one drop of water in 20 Olympic-size swimming pools. |
For more information, please contact the 86th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering flight at DSN (314) 479-2220, +49 6371 46 2220, or usaf.ramstein.86-mdg.mbx.omrs-sgxb@health.mil.
For inquiries from the media, please contact 86th AW Public Affairs at +49 6371 47 2458 or email 86aw.pa@us.af.mil.