- The US Air Force reported that it had found dangerous levels of chemicals which could cause cancer at a Montana-based base.
- The chemicals were found in the nuclear missile launch control centres at Malmstrom Air Force Base.
- The military decided to investigate unusual cases of blood cancer among missileers.
The US Air Force disclosed this week that they found unacceptably high levels of possible cancer-causing chemical in the nuclear missile launch control centres at a Montana base. The US military made the discovery after deciding to investigate unusual cases of blood cancer among military officers who worked at the base.
Air Force Global Strike Command released a statement Monday stating that two of the facilities on site had PCB levels that exceeded federally recommended limits.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency PCBsIt considers a “group” of “manmade organic chemicals” to be “probable cancer-causing agents” with a proven ability to cause negative health effects.
In order to test for PCBs, and other possible contaminants, the experts collected surface swipe samples throughout Malmstrom’s Launch Control Centers, which are where individuals can monitor and control missile launches.
Air Force: “Of 279 swipes, only a few returned detectable results.” “Of 21 swipes with detectable results,” the Air Force said, “19 were below the federal mitigation level set by law and regulation.”
PCBs were not detected in any of the air samples taken from the Launch Control Centers and the Support Building. Only the surface swipes showed PCBs. It is not known how many people may have been affected by these carcinogens.
According to a press release, “Based upon the initial survey results, which revealed PCB levels that were above the legal cleanup threshold in two of our facilities,” I ordered the Twentieth Air Force, to immediately begin the cleanup for the affected facilities and minimize exposure to potentially hazardous situations by our Airmen and Guardians,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere.
He added, “These measures will remain in place until I’m satisfied that our missile community is working in a clean and safe environment.”
Senior Airman Daniel Brosam/US Air Force via AP, File
The Air Force has said that the Malmstrom results represent the first of a large sampling of intercontinental missile bases (ICBMs) across the nation, in order to address concerns about cancer among the missile community. There are still results pending from air and surface tests at two other bases in Wyoming and North Dakota — F.E. Warren and Minot, respectively — as well as ground and water samples from all three.
These three bases operate and maintain the country’s silo based Minuteman 3The US nuclear triad includes intercontinental missiles as well nuclear-armed aircraft and ballistic submarines. Malmstrom is the home of the 341st missile wing in central Montana. It has more than 3,300 active-duty military members.
The US military has been looking at the testing for several months. Blood cancersOfficers who previously served at Malmstrom.
Several missileers who worked underground were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at relatively young ages, and Air Force officials confirmed in January that the service was looking to see if there was any connection between the disease and their respective military careers — some of which went back decades. Since then, dozens more blood cancer cases were reported reportedMalmstrom, and other bases.
US service members have been exposed to cancer-causing agents in a wide range of settings — both at home and overseas. One American veteran helped with cleanup effortsHe said that after the atomic tests on the Pacific Ocean he was diagnosed as having non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he believes was related to his service.
