National ArchivesThere are renewed calls for investigations into forever chemical contamination at a former RAF air base which is now proposed for development following the release of historical Ministry of Defence (MOD) documents.
In the documents seen by the BBC, assessments of RAF Upper Heyford describe ‘firefighting chemicals’ washed down the drain.
These are now feared to be the source of pollution in nearby waterways from forever chemicals or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Campaigners and the local MP Calum Miller say the need for immediate testing on people and the surrounding environment is needed to understand the scale of potential pollution and its impact on the local community.
The documents date back to 1997 when the MOD was looking to sell the site following four decades of presence by the United States Air Force. The MOD says it has no jurisdiction over sites that are no longer MOD-owned or maintained, however any claims from current owners will be dealt with on a site-by-site basis.
Multiple land and ground water assessments from the time make reference to the fire training area – where firefighters would practice putting out an aeroplane set on fire above a ‘pond’ of fuel.
The list of potential contaminants from the ‘fire practice pond’ include petrol, oil, lubricants, solvents and firefighting chemicals – which were “drained into storm water drainage.”
The Environment Agency (EA) says military sites and airports are hotspots for PFAS, referred to as forever chemicals, which were used extensively in fire fighting foams for decades.
Environmental forensics and PFAS expert Dr David Megson said “This does seem like another concerning case where these chemicals were widely used and have escaped into the environment.
“Its only decades afterwards that we are beginning to understand what harm may have been caused.”
Testing for PFAS
Six streams have so far been tested, both by residents and the Environment Agency, and have all come back showing elevated levels of PFOS – one of the chemicals used in firefighting foams. It’s considered carcinogenic to humans and has been banned in England and Wales.
One of the tests showed levels of PFOS concentrations at 27,823 ng/l. For context, Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for PFOS in inland surface water is 0.65 ng/l.
One of the environmental risk assessments from 1997 says of potential contaminants that; “should impaction of the groundmass and groundwater have occurred… human health could be adversely affected by dermatological contact, inhalation and ingestion of both soils and groundwater.”
It goes on to say: “Grazing animals, currently on-site and situated in the surrounding farmland may also be potential receptors, impacted directly from ingestion of impacted soils and/or spring waters.”
There is no evidence in the documents of testing or remedial works onsite for PFAS before 1997.
The current site owners Dorchester Living, which has an application in to build 9000 homes on the former base, has said that no previous testing for PFAS had been done.
More stories from Oxfordshire
Watch the latest episode of South Today
Listen to the latest news from Oxfordshire
What happens next?
Last month resident of Heyford Park, Leigh Radwell, told the BBC she wanted the water and soil to be tested amid concerns her vegetables may be contaminated.
She as well as two other residents have so far told the BBC they would take part in blood testing for the chemicals if it was made available.
Calum Miller MP for Bicester and Woodstock, who was sent the documents by defence minister Luke Pollard, said the detail in the documents makes the need for testing “all the more urgent”.
“I’m going to be meeting very shortly with the relevant minister at DEFRA who’s responsible for forever chemicals. I’m looking forward to that meeting, which will also be attended by officials from the Health Department.
“Local residents are understandably very anxious. They’ve gone from a few months ago, really not knowing very much about this issue, to suddenly being aware that there is potentially something very serious on their doorstep. What they are looking for is answers to the many questions they have.”
Charlie Henry from Gallos Brook Community Group said they have been testing the waterways “to prove that there are high levels in many waterways surrounding the base”.
“There’s 14 streams that run off this base into different villages. We’re calling on the Environment Agency and Cherwell District Council to test them because children play in them, dogs swim in them… it’s really serious.”
The Environment Agency has said they will investigate reports of pollution but that the local authority is responsible for contaminated land.
Residents say they have reported the issue to the EA.
A spokesperson for Cherwell District Council has said it is not aware of any evidence to suggest an immediate risk to the health of residents.
