Luke Air Force Base
Base Background
Luke Air Force Base opened in 1941 and is located near Glendale, AZ. The base is one of the largest in the world. It was briefly disestablished at the end of World War II but opened back up during the Korean War. The military started training F-16 Falcon pilots at Luke AFB during the 80’s, and it is currently the only base in the world to do so.
The base is run by the 56th Fighter Wing. About 500 pilots and 700 technicians graduate from the base each year. Luke AFB has nearly 600 homes to accommodate military personnel and their families. While the base has experienced contaminated soil and drinking water in the past, the governments is not note any health concerns at this time.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the medical conditions associated with toxic exposure at this base, classified by the strength of evidence required (strong, good or limited).* Please keep in mind that it is not a complete list.
| Toxin | Potential Effects | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| Benzene | Potential Effects | Myelodysplastic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Aplastic anemia | Scleroderma, Renal (kidney) cancer, Preterm delivery, Menstrual disorders, Lymphoma non Hodgkin's, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Arrhythmias | Peripheral neuropathy, Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Nasopharyngeal/SinoNasal cancer, Lung cancer, Immune suppression, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Cardiac congenital malformations, Breast cancer, Brain cancer adult, Asthma irritant |
| Benzo A Pyrene | Potential Effects | Lung cancer | Skin cancer (nonmelanoma), Lung cancer, Immune suppression, Bladder cancer | Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility) |
| Chrysene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Fluoroanthene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Indeno pyrene | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Naphthalene | Potential Effects | Methemoglobinemia | Cataracts, Anemia hemolytic | - |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) | Potential Effects | Scrotal cancer, Porphyria toxic, Laryngeal cancer | Skin cancer (nonmelanoma), Renal (kidney) cancer, Prostate cancer, Photosensitivity, Pancreatic cancer, Nasopharyngeal/SinoNasal cancer, Lung cancer, Immune suppression, Esophageal cancer, Breast cancer, Bladder cancer | Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Oral cancer, Melanoma, Early onset menopause, Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis, Colorectal cancer, Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma, Adult-Onset Leukemias |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | Potential Effects | Rhinitis irritant | - | - |
| Waste Oils | Potential Effects | - | - | Mycosis fungoides (cutaneous Tcell lymphoma) |
If you worked, trained, or lived on Luke Air Force Base, you may be eligible for compensation for illnesses related to the above contaminants.
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.