A new federal report shows people who drank water at the former Air Force Base in Oscoda may be at risk for cancer.
The report, from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, was done at the request of veterans and concerned citizens who wanted the agency to reevaluate exposure at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base.
The original report was released in 2001.
The new report was not focused on PFAs, the chemical compound that has been found leaking from the base, but rather on Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs.
Aaron Weed is the Oscoda Township Supervisor.
“There’s been some reaction that I’ve seen, people with questions and concerns, they know people who have lived here for a long time and have cancer issues and they are definitely wondering if it’s related to that particular contamination.”
Weed said he’s hopeful the report could bring about some action from the VA.
“We need a little more action from the VA for the veterans and their families who’ve been affected by this.’
The report shows varying levels of increased cancer risk depending on age and location on the base. The highest cancer risk reported was an increase of 0.002% - or roughly 200 additional cases per 100,000 people.
Members of the local health department declined to comment.
You can find the full report here: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/WurtsmithAFB/Wurtsmith_AFB%20_%20HC-508.pdf