Local opinion: Arizona veterans still face risks from toxic exposure

In essence, many veterans in Arizona — including those in Tucson and broader Pima County — continue to play an active role in their communities following their retirement, contributing to local workplaces, civil life and family networks. This continuing role becomes especially meaningful each May during National Military Appreciation Month, when the nation formally recognizes their service and reflects on its lasting impact. Yet more than this, such an annual event also brings attention to some of the most dire challenges affecting a large number of personnel afterward: health repercussions stemming from prolonged contact with toxic substances during duty. Against this backdrop, May’s tribute likewise reinforces the importance of boosting healthcare protections and legislative efforts like the Veterans Exposed to Toxic (VET) PFAS Act, which intends to strengthen long-term support for veterans affected by in-service exposure.

Toxic exposure continues to affect Arizona veterans

For far too long, Arizona has stood at the center of a persistent national issue, with a substantial portion of its nearly 500,000 veterans confronting the long-term health consequences of toxic exposure across military operations and infrastructure. One infamous hazard is asbestos, a natural mineral extensively incorporated in aging naval vessels, aircraft components and various tools integral to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and many other facilities statewide. Its durability and low cost drove its widespread use for most of the 20th century. Yet medical experts later determined that inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers could directly elevate a person's risk of developing severe illnesses — such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer — which have already yielded over 5,100 fatalities in Arizona between 1999 and 2017.

Comparable concerns have also intensified surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of human-made chemicals commonly found in the armed forces’ firefighting foam known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Although these compounds have proven beneficial because of their strong chemical bonds and excellent thermal stability, they don’t degrade naturally, raising alarming environmental and health concerns in Arizona and nationwide. Moreover, an interactive map revealed that more than a dozen installations in the Grand Canyon State — including Air Force Plant 44 in Pima County — have suffered serious contamination following their historical reliance on AFFF. As a result, many troops stationed at these affected sites might have faced elevated risks of certain forms of cancer and other debilitating diseases.

Why policy reform remains critical for toxic-exposed veterans

Although awareness surrounding toxic exposure risks has expanded considerably in recent years, numerous veterans in Arizona — particularly those affected by PFAS contamination — continue to encounter difficulties when pursuing medical assistance and other benefits. That is because while legislation like the Honoring Our PACT Act has made strides in providing support, PFAS-related illnesses still lack comprehensive presumptive coverage. Consequently, affected veterans remain burdened with a complicated claims process that demands extensive documentation linking their health issues to military exposure — an arduous task given that many associated diseases can take decades to manifest.

Fortunately, there are new legislative efforts aimed at directly tackling toxic exposure issues among military communities. One noteworthy proposal is the VET PFAS Act, which seeks to broaden presumptive coverage for specific PFAS-related conditions to deliver more seamless access to benefits for ailing veterans. At its core, this initiative underscores a crucial realization — exposure risks were often embedded in the very fabric of military service, especially in activities involving firefighting foam, aviation operations, industrial maintenance and base construction. As such, it is time to finally make sure that those who served the country receive the support they need and deserve.

Yet even with its noble objectives, the measure remains pending in Congress. Ensuring that these discussions continue — especially during this National Military Appreciation Month — would help translate recognition for military service into more enduring healthcare access, institutional accountability and support for affected veterans.