MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE #1

As of May 2026, the McGuire Air Force Base (McGuire AFB) Superfund site is considered “Insufficient Data to make a Human Exposure evaluation” (HEID). This status does not necessarily mean that unacceptable exposures are occurring. The United States Air Force (USAF) is conducting seven Remedial Investigations (RIs) at 41 sites across the base to define the nature and extent of contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, and indoor air (vapor intrusion). Contaminants detected to date include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi‑volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), inorganics, per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and 1,4‑dioxane. Although McGuire AFB is an active federal facility with base security and land use controls that restrict access, available information is not yet sufficient to determine whether actual or reasonably anticipated human exposures are occurring above acceptable risk‑based levels across all pathways and areas.

Planned activities to collect sufficient information include completing the ongoing RIs and Feasibility Studies (FSs); continuing PFAS investigations at 11 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)‑related sites; conducting a Preliminary Assessment (PA) to identify non‑AFFF PFAS sources; installing and sampling additional groundwater monitoring wells to define plume extent and migration; and collecting soil, surface water, sediment, and indoor air samples where needed to evaluate vapor intrusion. EPA and USAF will evaluate the new data through Human Health Risk Assessments (HHRAs) that consider exposure scenarios for potential future residents, recreational users, and current and future workers, including incidental ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact with affected media.

EPA currently anticipates there will be sufficient data to make a Human Exposure determination by September 2033 because the RI/FS work across the base is scheduled to be completed and the applicable Records of Decision (RODs) will be signed by that time.

If you live or work near the base, you can reduce potential exposure by following posted warnings and land use controls, avoiding restricted areas, and using municipal water where available or testing private wells before use. For more information, contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Steven Petrucelli via the site webpage or at (212) 637-4084 or [email protected]. EPA participates in quarterly Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meetings with residents and stakeholders, issues public notices and updated fact sheets, and keeps the site profile on EPA’s website up to date.