Audit reveals DOD hasn't adequately shielded military members from toxic PFAS By John Flesher Researchers at the University of Notre Dame tested more than 230 commonly-used cosmetics from top brands. The Defense Department has dragged its feet on protecting service personnel from "forever chemicals" at military installations and isn't doing enough to track health effects from exposure to the toxic compounds, according to an internal audit. Officials have taken steps to find and clean groundwater contaminated with firefighting foam containing PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the department's inspector general found. But its recently released report said the Pentagon has fallen short on dealing with other sources of the chemicals as its rules require.