Doreen Jenness, the widow of Air Force Capt. Jason Jenness, pulls out a portion of his uniform during an interview with the Associated Press in Missoula, Mont., Aug. 26, 2023. Capt. Jenness was a Malmstrom missileer who died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2001 at the age of 31. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)
December 29, 2023
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The Air Force said its nuclear missile capsules were safe. But toxic dangers lurked, documents show
WASHINGTON (AP) — A large pool of dark liquid festering on the floor. No fresh air. Computer displays that would overheat and ooze out a fishy-smelling gel that nauseated the crew. Asbestos readings 50 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's safety standards. These are just some of the past toxic risks that were in the underground capsules and silos where Air Force nuclear missile crews have worked since the 1960s. Now many of those service members have cancer.