Big Sky Times

Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is taking measures to tackle hazardous PCBs at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, after the Missile Community Cancer Study revealed rising health concerns, according to an Aug. 7 press release. Other bases, including Minot AFB in North Dakota, also show troubling signs. 

“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 AFGSC, according to the press release. “These measures will stay in place until I am satisfied that we are providing our missile community with a safe and clean work environment.” 

According to a the press release, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, has been thrust into the spotlight as the AFGSC rapidly takes measures to tackle the presence of hazardous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This decision was influenced by the early outcomes of the Missile Community Cancer Study, which has raised alarms about increased cancer risks within the missile community.

During a week-long examination from June 22-29, a dedicated team from the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and the Defense Centers for Public Health (USAFSAM-DCPH) conducted exhaustive tests at Malmstrom AFB, per the press release. While PCBs remained undetected in all air samples taken from the Launch Control Centers (LCCs) and the Launch Control Support Building, two out of the 300 surface swipes taken exceeded federal standards for mitigation.

A deeper look into PCBs reveals them as members of a vast category of man-made organic compounds, termed chlorinated hydrocarbons, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Manufactured in the U.S. from 1929 until they were banned in 1979, these chemicals exhibit a variety of toxicities and can vary in appearance from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. Their unique properties, such as non-flammability, chemical stability, and high boiling point, made them favorites in a plethora of commercial and industrial usages, ranging from electrical equipment to paints and dyes.

Bussiere highlighted the unwavering commitment to the safety of all involved, stating, "I am committed to remaining transparent during this process, and I pledge to continue an open dialogue with Airmen, Guardians, their families and all other stakeholders as the Missile Community Cancer Study continues," according to the press release.

Minot AFB in North Dakota has also yielded samples confirming the presence of PCBs, while another location is awaiting finalized results, the press release noted.