WASHINGTON -- The Department of Defense (DOD) uses a specific type of firefighting foam, known as "AFFF" in about 1,500 facilities to suppress fires--particularly, aircraft fires.

However, the foam contains a compound with the so-called forever chemicals Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that can get into nearby drinking wells and have adverse effects on human health -- including harm to fetal development and thyroid and the immune systems. PFAS can also cause liver damage and testicular, kidney, and thyroid cancers.

This week, 11 lawmakers -- including Virginia Reps. Bobby Scott, Jennifer McClellan and Jen Kiggans -- sent a letter to House and Senate Armed Services leadership, calling on them to include a provision in the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act to protect service members from PFAS by requiring the DOD to regularly monitor for the substance at military installations.

"It's very concerning because our military facilities are one of the biggest contributors to these forever chemicals on our waters that are basically poisoning our service members, their families and the surrounding community," said McClellan.

"As a former Naval officer and also a nurse practitioner, I care about the well-being and the health of all of our military members and their families," said Kiggans. "So, when we identify that PFAS has been found in drinking water and it is carcinogenic... we need to work to provide the funding to remove that PFAS. It's the right thing to do, so I'm happy to prioritize that and to push for that in a bipartisan way."

Congress voted in 2020 to require the DOD to discontinue use of the foam. But in July, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the DOD is experiencing challenges that are slowing the transition.

GAO Defense Capabilities and Management Director Alissa Czyz said it's important that this problem is fixed.

"PFAS can get into ground water and drinking water and has the potential of harmful health effects. So, DOD needs to take action on this," she said.

Four installations in Hampton Roads have been found to be especially at-risk for PFAS: Langley Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Oceana, Fort Eustis and Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress.