Drinking water notice issued for RAF Lakenheath Published Oct. 18, 2012 By Staff Reports 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Slightly elevated benzo(a)pyrene levels were detected in the drinking water system affecting RAF Lakenheath only. The drinking water at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell is not affected. On 2 Oct 12, tap water samples were collected by Bioenvironmental Engineering (BE). On 4 Oct 12, the certified laboratory notified BE that the benzo(a)pyrene level was 0.013 micrograms per liter (µg/L) for drinking water on RAF Lakenheath. This level exceeds the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 0.01 µg/L set forth in the 2010 Final Governing Standard-United Kingdom (FGS-UK) and thus requires a public notification. This MCL is much lower than the limit of 0.2 µg/L established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for this chemical in the US. Historically, RAF Lakenheath's drinking water has been below detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene (last 3 quarters were <0.0053 ug/l). Benzo(a)pyrene is a chemical that can leach from plastics used in linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines. As mentioned above, past samples have shown benzo(a)pyrene levels much lower than this most recent result. If there was a problem with this chemical leaching from components of the drinking water distribution system, there would likely be consistent, detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene reflected in the sampling results. Since this has not occurred, it is possible that this sample result is a false positive. Benzo(a)pyrene is not produced or used commercially. Follow-on sampling started quickly upon notification by the certified laboratory of the benzo(a)pyrene exceedence. Samples are being analyzed by the UK laboratory, but this process takes a while to complete. Results are expected within the next few days. You will be notified of these results as soon as they are available. What should you do? We recommend no action on your part at this time. It is suspected that the sample results are a false positive. Even if the results are valid, the level of 0.013 µg/L does not pose a health risk. If the time ever arises when the levels become a health risk, BE will take immediate actions to inform you and make specific recommendations. Possible health effects As mentioned above, the US EPA has set an MCL for benzo(a)pyrene of 0.2 µg/L, which is 20 times the MCL in the FGS-UK. The sample result from 4 Oct 12 was below the US standard, but higher than the FGS-UK standard. US EPA lists potential effects from drinking water with benzo(a)pyrene at levels well above the US MCL over many years to include reproductive difficulties and potential increased risk of getting cancer. Corrective actions being taken BE is evaluating all available information and conducting tests to ensure the safety of the drinking water on RAF Lakenheath. No trends of additional sample results have been identified to indicate a wide-spread problem. BE anticipates that follow-on samples currently being analyzed by the UK laboratory will show benzo(a)pyrene back to the safe levels consistently seen prior to this recent sample. Results will be available within the next few days. Who do I contact for more information? For more information, please contact Bioenvironmental Engineering at 01638-52-8047 or DSN 226-8047.