Military Milk

In the fertile plains around Clovis, New Mexico, just south of Cannon Air Force Base, a quiet but serious environmental crisis has unfolded over the past decade: the spread of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into local groundwater. PFAS are a group of man-made “forever chemicals” historically used in firefighting foams for their ability to rapidly suppress fuel fires — including at military bases. At Cannon, repeated use and improper disposal of these foams have created a toxic plume stretching miles into the Ogallala Aquifer, the primary source of water for farms, homes, and dairies in the region. Officials have documented PFAS in off-base wells used for irrigation and livestock, sometimes far exceeding health advisory levels set by regulators. env.nm.gov+1

Perhaps the most heartbreaking chapter of this contamination has played out on local dairy farms. One major operation, Highland Dairy, found PFAS in its water and in cow’s milk at levels that federal food safety authorities deemed unsafe for human consumption. The contamination was so severe that the entire herd — 3,665 cows — had to be humanely euthanized, and their milk withheld from the market to protect public health. The financial and emotional toll on the farm’s owners and employees was devastating, and the loss of such a large dairy underscores how deeply PFAS can disrupt both agriculture and community livelihoods. env.nm.gov

The broader implications for New Mexico’s dairy products remain a source of concern and ongoing investigation. Because PFAS accumulate in water, soil, and living organisms, there is a risk that milk and other dairy products from farms relying on contaminated groundwater could carry trace levels of these chemicals, potentially posing health risks to consumers over long-term exposure. While regulators continue testing and have shut down products from visibly contaminated farms, not all dairies have been sampled with the same intensity or frequency, and there currently are no comprehensive nationwide standards for PFAS in food, making it difficult to fully gauge the safety of all milk products in the region. env.nm.gov+1

Meanwhile, state authorities and community members are pushing for more aggressive remediation and regulatory action. New Mexico has taken legal steps to classify PFAS as hazardous under state law and sued the Air Force to compel cleanup and protect groundwater used by people and livestock alike. The goal is not just to contain the existing plume but also to prevent future contamination and ensure that food products — from milk to cheese — are safe for consumers. However, because PFAS are persistent and slow to break down, the effects of past contamination may linger for years, leaving communities wary and regulators vigilant. stateimpactcenter.org

via chatgpt