Concerns Rise Over Cancer Among Nuclear Missile Workers Blamed on Base Exposure

Recent investigations and personal stories have highlighted potential health risks faced by U.S. nuclear missile personnel. In 2022, veteran Air Force Captain Monte Watts learned he had chronic lymphocytic leukemia after noting that a fellow former missile operator was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Watts' case and reports from others in the missile community have fueled concerns about environmental exposures at missile bases.

A group of former missileers, led by Lt. Col. Danny Sebeck, identified a cluster of 36 individuals who served at Minuteman III launch control centers between 1993 and 2011 and developed various cancers, with some fatalities. This prompted the Air Force to initiate a thorough investigation into the working conditions and environment at key nuclear missile bases, including Malmstrom, F.E. Warren, Minot, and Vandenberg.

The investigations focus on potential contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), used historically in missile electrical components, and benzene, present in vehicle exhaust and other sources. While current studies have not found statistically higher death rates from cancer in missile community members compared to the general population, experts caution that the data is preliminary and ongoing.

Historically, the Department of Defense has been slow to recognize and address environmental health risks. Past issues like Agent Orange exposure and burn pits in conflict zones highlight the challenges veterans face in linking service conditions to health outcomes. In the case of missileers, earlier assessments in 2001 and 2005 deemed their workplace environments safe, but new evidence suggests that more comprehensive research is necessary.

Advocacy groups and lawmakers are calling for further investigation, transparency, and healthcare support for affected personnel. The final epidemiological analysis by the Air Force is expected later in 2025, which will better clarify the potential connection between missile environment exposures and cancer risks. Meanwhile, affected veterans continue to seek recognition and benefits for their illnesses, raising important questions about occupational safety in military nuclear facilities.