Joint Base Andrews, formerly Andrews Air Force Base, sits on 4,360 acres in Camp Springs, Maryland, about five miles southeast of Washington, D.C. The base has operated since 1942 and was added to the National Priorities List on May 10, 1999. Past activities contaminated soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater across dozens of locations. Cleanup has been organized into 34 operable units covering fire training areas, landfills, spill sites, and storage tank locations. Physical construction is not yet complete, and the site has not been deleted from the National Priorities List.
Contaminants include volatile organic compounds such as benzene, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, and vinyl chloride found mainly in groundwater. Metals including arsenic, chromium, lead, cadmium, and thallium appear in soil and groundwater. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum-related compounds such as xylenes and toluene, and pesticides including dieldrin and lindane are also present. A 2018 investigation found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals used in firefighting foams, released above EPA lifetime health advisory levels. The Maryland Department of the Environment found elevated PFAS in fish tissue from Piscataway Creek, located immediately downstream of the base. In October 2021, the state issued fish consumption advisories recommending people limit their intake of redbreast sunfish, yellow bullhead catfish, and largemouth bass from that creek.
The U.S. Air Force leads remediation. EPA oversees compliance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The two agencies signed a federal facility agreement in September 2011. Cleanup methods used across the site include groundwater treatment and monitoring, bioremediation, excavation, capping, land use controls, and removal of underground storage tanks. Several operable units have finished remedial action, including Fire Training Area 1 in March 2012, Fire Training Area 2 in March 2019, and the former dry cleaner at Site 27 in December 2012. Work continues on multiple units, and Records of Decision for some areas are not expected until 2026 to 2028.
Human exposure to contamination is currently under control, meaning assessments show no unacceptable exposure pathways at this time. However, groundwater migration is not yet stabilized. EPA has completed three five-year reviews, with the most recent in June 2021. The next review is estimated between May and July 2026.
Community members can engage through EPA's Community Involvement Program. The Administrative Record for the site is available online under Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and in person at the Prince George's County Memorial Library Surratts-Clinton Branch in Clinton, Maryland, which can be reached at (301) 868-9200. EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator and Remedial Project Manager are available to answer questions about cleanup progress and site documents.
