Former Naval Air Station Glenview

Former Naval Air Station Glenview was a United States Navy air station in Glenview, in Cook County, Illinois. Naval aviation operations in the area began in the 1930s, and the facility was formally designated a Naval Air Station in 1943, taking on a major training role during World War II. Through the Cold War it served as a reserve air station supporting the north central United States, hosting anti-submarine warfare, transport, and intelligence support squadrons. The station was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process and shut down in 1995, after roughly 58 years of service. The approximately 1,100-acre property was later acquired by the Village of Glenview and redeveloped into a mixed-use community known as The Glen.

As with many former military airfields, decades of aviation, maintenance, and waste-disposal activity left behind environmental concerns. Investigations at the property, including the former Site 26 landfill and burn pit used in the 1950s and 1960s, identified several substances that have been associated with potential health risks. Public records indicate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzo(a)pyrene, were among the carcinogenic compounds found in soil at the landfill. The items below summarize contaminants documented or reasonably associated with the site and the hedged concerns generally connected with each.

1. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): PCBs are industrial chemicals once used in electrical equipment, hydraulic systems, and certain lubricants. PCBs were among the contaminants detected in soil sampling at the Site 26 landfill. Long-term exposure to PCBs has been associated with concerns about effects on the immune and reproductive systems and a potential increase in cancer risk.
2. Heavy metals: Metals, including lead and arsenic, were detected in soil and waste samples associated with the landfill and burn pit. Depending on the specific metal, long-term exposure has been associated with concerns about effects on the kidneys, nervous system, and overall development.
3. Jet fuel and petroleum products: Fuels and oils were stored and handled extensively to support flight operations. The former landfill is reported to have received refuse that may have included oils and fuels, and exposure to petroleum constituents has been associated with concerns about respiratory, neurological, and other health effects.
4. Solvents and volatile organic compounds: Solvents are reported to have been among the materials possibly disposed of at the former landfill, and a range of solvents and related volatile organic compounds were used in maintenance and cleaning operations. Concerns about potential exposure to these substances generally relate to effects on the nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
5. Trichloroethylene (TCE): TCE is a chlorinated solvent historically used to degrease aircraft parts, engines, and metal components. While TCE is not among the contaminants specifically identified in the available Site 26 records, solvent handling was common at such facilities, and concerns about potential exposure to TCE have been linked in some studies to effects on the liver, kidneys, immune system, and to certain cancers.

The former station is not listed on the National Priorities List. Cleanup is being conducted as a federal facility-lead action by the U.S. Navy, with regulatory oversight from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. A Record of Decision signed in September 2018 selected complete excavation of the Site 26 landfill, off-site disposal of the waste and contaminated soil, and restoration of the area for unrestricted reuse. As of recent reporting, the remediation field work had not yet been completed, and timelines have been subject to revision.

Veterans and family members who lived or worked at the station and have questions about possible exposures are encouraged to stay informed as cleanup activities continue. Reviewing your service history and discussing any health concerns with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can help you understand what benefits, screenings, or guidance may be available to you.