[CPEO-MEF] FW: PERCHLORATE AT MILITARY AIR BASES

[jfarber@ci.irvine.ca.us]

As a member of the El Toro MCAS RAB, I have been involved in the El Toro
cleanup.  I represent the City of Irvine on a technical basis.  During a
discussion of past operations at the Marine Air Base in the Summer of
1997, the Marines were queried by myself as to use of JATO or RATO (Jet or
rocket assisted takeoff).  These were used to provide needed additional
takeoff speed for heavy loads and/or short runways.  They were used
extensively years ago.  These solid propellant rocket engines use ammonium
perchlorate extensively.  The Navy responded by suggesting that no
problems could happen because they are used up in flight!   A few months
later the some monitoring wells outside the base were tested and
perchlorate was detected.  Subsequently, the Navy has tested monitoring
wells around the base and has detected perchlorate.  One area, an
EOD(Explosive Ordnance Demolition) site had detection above MCL. The
extent of the contamination has not been determined.  There were
suggestions that fertilizer etc was the cause of the lower detected levels
of perchlorate but recent journal articles would tend to minimize
fertilizer having significant perchlorate contributions.
 
Since JATOs were extensively used at other air fields it might be
appropriate for other RABs to have their monitoring wells test for
perchlorate.  



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