US Air Force finds unsafe levels of possible cancer-causing chemicals in nuclear missile launch control centers

• The US Air Force said it found unsafe levels of possible cancer-causing chemicals at a Montana base.
• It found the chemicals in nuclear missile launch control centers at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

The US Air Force revealed this week that it found unsafe levels of probable cancer-causing chemicals in nuclear missile launch control centers at a base in Montana. The discovery comes after the US military decided to investigate unusual blood cancer cases among several military officers who had worked at the site.

A team of experts that carried out testing at Malmstrom Air Force Base in June discovered levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that were above federally recommended thresholds in two facilities at the site, Air Force Global Strike Command said in a statement on Monday.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PCBs are a "group of man-made organic chemicals" that it considers to be "probable human carcinogens" and have a demonstrated ability to cause a range of negative health effects

To test for PCBs and other potential contaminants, the experts collected 300 surface swipe samples across Malmstrom's launch control centers, which is where individuals can control and monitor missile launch facilities.

"Of the swipes, 279 returned non-detectable results," the Air Force said. "Of the 21 with detectable results, 19 were below the mitigation level established by federal law and regulation."

None of the air samples of the launch control centers and launch control support building revealed any detectable levels for PCBs. They only appeared in the surface swipes. It is unclear how many individuals may have been exposed to these likely carcinogens.

"Based on the initial results from the survey team, which discovered PCB levels above the cleanup threshold designated by law in two of our facilities, I directed Twentieth Air Force to take immediate measures to begin the cleanup process for the affected facilities and mitigate exposure by our Airmen and Guardians to potentially hazardous conditions," said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, in the statement.

"These measures will stay in place until I am satisfied that we are providing our missile community with a safe and clean work environment," he added.

The Air Force said the Malmstrom results are the first of a widespread sampling of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) bases across the country, with the goal of being to address the missile community's cancer-related concerns. 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 maintain and operate the country's silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, key components of the US nuclear triad which also consists of nuclear-armed bombers and ballistic missile submarines. Malmstrom, located in central Montana, is home to the 341st Missile Wing, of which over 3,300 active-duty service members are a part.

The testing comes several months after the US military said it was looking into blood cancer cases among officers who were previously stationed 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 of additional blood cancer cases have been reported at Malmstrom 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 who helped with cleanup efforts after atomic testing in the Pacific Ocean said he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that he believes is tied to his service, and he said he was not alone.