Wurtsmith Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located in Oscoda, Michigan. It was operational from 1923 to 1993 and primarily served as a strategic bomber base during the Cold War era. The base played a significant role in various military operations, including training missions, nuclear deterrent efforts, and support for combat operations.
In the later years of its operation, environmental concerns began to arise due to the presence of hazardous substances such as perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which were used in firefighting foams and other activities on the base. These substances contaminated the groundwater and soil, leading to potential health risks for those who lived or served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base.
Veterans who served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base could be exposed to perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) through various pathways, including drinking contaminated water, inhaling vapors from contaminated groundwater or soil, and direct contact with PFAS-containing substances such as firefighting foams. These exposures may have occurred during training exercises, firefighting operations, or general activities on the base that involved the use of PFAS-containing materials.
Veterans who served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base could be exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) through contact with contaminated groundwater or soil, as TCE was used in various industrial processes and maintenance activities on the base. Inhalation of TCE vapors during work-related tasks or living in close proximity to areas with TCE contamination could also contribute to exposure.
Several studies have been conducted to investigate potential health impacts on veterans who served at the base. While no definitive conclusions have been reached, there have been associations between exposure to certain contaminants at Wurtsmith and increased risks of certain cancers. However, it is essential to note that these associations do not necessarily establish causation.
The following cancers have been identified as potentially related to veterans who served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base:
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Leukemia
It is important for any veteran who served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base and has concerns about their health or potential exposure-related illnesses to consult with healthcare professionals familiar with military service-related exposures or contact relevant veterans’ affairs organizations for guidance and support.