Initial Findings Prompt Deeper Examination
The United States Air Force has announced plans to expand its study on whether service members who worked with nuclear missiles have had unusually high rates of cancer. This decision comes after a preliminary review revealed the need for further investigation. While the initial findings are yet to be made public, the Air Force has already determined that more review is necessary.
Background of the Study
The study was initiated in response to reports of numerous individuals who served in the missile community falling ill. The Air Force began a comprehensive review earlier this year to determine if missileers, the launch officers who operated the nation’s silo-launched nuclear missiles, were exposed to unsafe contaminants. Many current and former missile launch officers have come forward this year to report their cancer diagnoses, sparking concerns about the potential dangers they were exposed to while on duty.
Thorough Testing Conducted
In response to these concerns, medical teams conducted extensive testing of the air, water, soil, and surface areas inside and around each of the three nuclear missile bases: Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The results of the tests conducted at the Montana and Wyoming bases showed no harmful levels of contamination in over 2,000 samples of air, water, and soil. However, four locations inside the underground launch control capsules where the missileers worked were found to have unsafe levels of PCBs, which are identified as likely carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Air Force is still awaiting the results from the North Dakota base.
Addressing Past Exposures
While the current data reassures that the current air, water, and soil are safe, questions remain regarding the past exposures for missile launch officers. The infrastructure, including the silos and underground control capsules, was built during the 1960s and has not been updated since. The Air Force acknowledges that it cannot fully quantify the risks these individuals may have been exposed to in the past. However, the current data will provide valuable insights to help understand potential past risks.
Expanding the Study
The Air Force is expanding its review of medical records to capture as much information as possible. The initial dataset only goes back to 2001, but the aim is to include personnel who worked with military nuclear missiles dating back to 1976. The study will incorporate data from the Department of Veterans Affairs and state cancer registries. The goal is to capture data on all members of the missile community who served from 1976 to 2010.
Changing Attitudes and Heightened Response
This study is part of a broader shift within the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to address the issue of exposure to toxic contaminants in military occupations. The Air Force’s response has been significantly different this time compared to previous instances when missile launch officers raised concerns about illnesses among their community. The increased attention this year, with numerous officers and their families reporting cancer diagnoses, has prompted a more thorough investigation. The Air Force is committed to leaving no stone unturned in understanding the potential risks faced by the missileer community.
The findings of this study and the heightened response demonstrate the need for adequate exposure documentation to provide proper care for those affected. The Air Force recognizes the concerns raised by the Torchlight Initiative, an organization formed by the families of missile launch officers, and is determined to address the disproportionate rates of cancer found within the missile community.
