Fort Detrick
Frederick, MD
Known Toxins1
Years of Operation1931-Present
Base Background
Fort Detrick was originally a military airfield, supporting pilot and bomber training through World War II. The government temporarily renamed the site Camp Detrick in 1943 and established the US Army Biological Warfare Laboratories. Biological research facilities expanded on the base. After the Nixon administration outlawed biological research in the 60’s, studies shifted to prevention and treatment.
Fort Detrick is currently home to the Institute of Infectious Diseases, the National Cancer Institute, and U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. The site was added to the National Priorities List in 2008 due to severe contamination.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the toxins associated with this military location and the potential effects of exposure.*
| Toxin | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| PFAS (Firefighting Foam) | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | - | - | Testicular cancer Renal (kidney) cancer... Prostate cancer |
If you were stationed at Fort Detrick, you may be eligible for compensation for diseases connected to toxic exposure.
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.