Malmstrom Air Force Base faces multiple environmental problems, particularly in handling radioactive materials. Due to widespread contamination issues, Malmstrom Air Force Base has been designated as a Superfund site. At least 58 sites have also been identified containing hazardous substances, prompting the Department of Defense (DoD) to take action. So far, the government has already spent over $22 million on cleaning up the base from toxic chemicals.
What contaminants have been documented at Malmstrom Air Force Base?
Some of the most notable contaminants of concern documented at Malmstrom Air Force Base involved PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), asbestos, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls).
Site investigations conducted in 2016 and 2017 showed that the presence of PFAS in the base had exceeded the enforceable limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt). Runoff chemicals from AFFF, a type of firefighting foam made from PFAS, had been blamed as the primary source of PFAS contamination at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The site had been using AFFF for actual firefighting response and training exercises, such as fire suppression system testing.
As an active base operating since WWII, Malmstrom Air Force Base also had a history of using the cancer-causing asbestos for insulating buildings and vehicle maintenance. In addition to PFAS and asbestos, another harmful chemical lurks in the base: PCBs. A report from the Associated Press revealed government documents showing unsafe levels of PCBs present in the base.
What are the health problems linked to PFAS found at Malmstrom Air Force Base?
There have been multiple scientific studies linking exposure to PFAS to a litany of health issues, including severe and life-threatening diseases. These include the following:
Among the most notable studies exploring the health impact of PFAS exposure were those involving members of the U.S. Air Force, including those deployed in PFAS-contaminated bases such as Malmstrom Air Force Base. Published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, it revealed that Air Force personnel exposed to PFOS have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer.
