Minuteman III Health and Safety

Summary#

This bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to seek an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to review occupational health and safety at facilities tied to the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system. The review must be done in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense Policy and Programs.

The review must include: an independent review of the Missile Community Cancer Study done by the Air Force; an assessment of occupational hazards and toxic substances that accounts for enclosed spaces, ventilation problems, and limited fresh air; a case-controlled retrospective study comparing cancer rates of Minuteman III launch officers and support personnel to similar Air Force members with low exposure risk; a comparison of historic and current environmental surveillance practices for air, water, ventilation, and residual contamination; evaluations of prevention measures such as personal protective equipment, engineering controls, and surveillance; and evaluation of medical screening and reporting policies. The review should also give recommendations about ensuring occupational safety meets current standards and applying findings to the new LGM-35A Sentinel missile system, including possible design or operational changes for Minuteman III and Sentinel.

The Secretary of Defense must give National Academy personnel access to information and needed security clearances. The Academy must send a report with findings to the congressional defense committees within 18 months of the bill's enactment. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex.

What it means for you#

  • The Department of Defense would arrange an independent scientific review of workplace health risks at Minuteman III launch control, launch, missile alert, and related facilities.
  • The review would look for toxic substances and hazards named in the bill (examples include asbestos, radiation, polychlorinated biphenyls, volatile organic compounds, hydrazine, and others) and check ventilation and confined-space issues.
  • The review includes a retrospective case-controlled study comparing cancer rates of affected personnel with similar Air Force members who had low exposure risk.
  • The National Academy must provide findings to Congress within 18 months. The public report will be unclassified, with the option for a classified annex.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs or funding is included in the bill text. The bill requires entering an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and actions by the Department of Defense, but it does not specify appropriations or estimated expenses.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.