Mather Air Force Base

Location
Mather, CA
Known Toxins
39
Years of Operation
1918-1993
Mather Airport
Mather Airport

Base Background

The Mather Air Force Base opened in 1918 and is located 12 miles east of Sacramento. It started as a pilot training base during World War I. During World War II, the base became a navigator and single-engine pilots. From 1948 until its closing in 1993, the base focused on navigation training primarily.

The government closed the base in 1993, about 10 years after the EPA began investigating contamination sites. This base reopened as the Sacramento Mather Airport two years later.

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 & Strength of Evidence Needed
Strong Good Limited
Aluminium Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Lung cancer
Bronchitis ­ chronic
MoreLess
Spasticity/Myoclonus
Seizures...
Pneumonitis hypersensitivity
Dementia
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
Asthma ­ allergic
MoreLess
Sarcoidosis
Pulmonary fibrosis...
Pulmonary edema
Porphyria ­ toxic
Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders
Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Alzheimer's
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
MoreLess
Anthracene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
Skin cancer (non­melanoma)
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Antimony Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Bronchitis ­ chronic
MoreLess
COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
Pulmonary edema
Nasal septal perforation...
Menstrual disorders
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Bladder cancer
Anemia ­ hemolytic
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
MoreLess
Arsenic Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Peripheral neuropathy
Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation...
Diabetes ­ Type II
Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis
MoreLess
Steatosis (fatty liver)
Skeletal malformations...
Renal (kidney) cancer
Raynaud's phenomenon
Pneumonitis hypersensitivity
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Nasal septal perforation
Myocardial ischemia
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age
Hypertension
Hepatoportal Sclerosis
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Congenital malformations ­ general
Cirrhosis
Cardiomyopathy
Bladder cancer
Arrhythmias
Anemia ­ hemolytic
Alopecia
Adult­-Onset Leukemias
MoreLess
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome)
Myelodysplastic syndrome...
Metal fume fever
Immune suppression
Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer)
Genito­urinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias)
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Acute tubular necrosis
MoreLess
Barium Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Sarcoidosis
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
Benzene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Multiple myeloma...
Aplastic anemia
MoreLess
Scleroderma
Renal (kidney) cancer...
Pre­term delivery
Menstrual disorders
Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
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
MoreLess
Benzo A Pyrene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Lung cancer
MoreLess
Skin cancer (non­melanoma)
Lung cancer...
Immune suppression
Bladder cancer
MoreLess
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)
MoreLess
Cadmium Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Renal stones
Osteoporosis...
Itai­itai disease
Chronic renal disease
Acute tubular necrosis
MoreLess
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)
Prostate cancer...
Pneumonia
Nephrotic syndrome
COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cardiomyopathy
Anemia ­ hemolytic
MoreLess
Testicular cancer
Soft tissue sarcoma...
Renal (kidney) cancer
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary edema
Peripheral neuropathy
Pancreatic cancer
Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate)
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Metal fume fever
Menstrual disorders
Immune suppression
Hypoactivity
Hypertension
Genito­urinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias)
Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation
Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Brain cancer ­adult
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Arrhythmias
ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
MoreLess
Carbon tetrachloride Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Steatosis (fatty liver)
Cirrhosis...
Acute tubular necrosis
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
MoreLess
Scleroderma
Porphyria ­ toxic...
Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's
Childhood Leukemias
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Arrhythmias
Aplastic anemia
Adult­-Onset Leukemias
MoreLess
Renal (kidney) cancer
Pancreatitis...
Pancreatic cancer
Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate)
Nephrotic syndrome
Melanoma
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age
Immune suppression
Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer)
Brain cancer ­adult
MoreLess
Chlorinated Solvents Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
Childhood Leukemias
Adult­-Onset Leukemias
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Chloroethene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Chromium Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Skin ulceration
Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders...
Nasopharyngeal/Sino­Nasal cancer
Nasal septal perforation
Nasal polyps
Cholestasis
Bronchitis ­ acute
Asthma ­ allergic
MoreLess
Stomach cancer
Pulmonary fibrosis...
Psychiatric disturbances
Pneumonitis hypersensitivity
Pneumonia
Photosensitivity
Peripheral neuropathy
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic renal disease
Bronchitis ­ acute
Brain cancer ­adult
ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity
Acute tubular necrosis
MoreLess
Soft tissue sarcoma
Skeletal malformations...
Renal (kidney) cancer
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)
Prostate cancer
Peripheral neuropathy
Pancreatic cancer
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome)
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Metal fume fever
Immune suppression
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Esophageal cancer
Erectile dysfunction
Delayed growth
COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Bladder cancer
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Arrhythmias
Adult­-Onset Leukemias
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
MoreLess
Chrysene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Cobalt Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism
Hard metal disease...
Cardiomyopathy
Asthma ­ allergic
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Soft tissue sarcoma
Sarcoidosis...
Pancreatitis
Lung cancer
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
Copper Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
Nasal septal perforation
Metal fume fever...
Lung cancer
Granulomatous disease (liver)
Decreased vision (includes blindness, retinopathy, optic neuropathy)
Chronic renal disease
Angiosarcoma (hepatic)
Anemia ­ hemolytic
MoreLess
Sarcoidosis
Pulmonary fibrosis...
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Immune suppression
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Acute tubular necrosis
MoreLess
Dibenzo (A,H) anthracene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Dichloroethene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Dieldrin Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones ­ FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens)
MoreLess
Uterine cancer
Thrombocytopenia...
Psychiatric disturbances
Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders
Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's
Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones ­ FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens)
Colo­rectal cancer
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Breast cancer
Adult­-Onset Leukemias
MoreLess
Diesel Fuel Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Ethylbenzene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Fluoroanthene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Gamma-chlordane Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Gasoline Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Fetal solvent syndrome/ Fetal Ethanol Syndrome
MoreLess
Heavy metals (misc.) Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Pneumonitis hypersensitivity
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Multiple myeloma
Chronic renal disease
MoreLess
Indeno pyrene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Lead Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Seizures
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)...
Peripheral neuropathy
Hypertension
Gout
Developmental Delay
Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Chronic renal disease
Behavioral problems
Anemia ­ hemolytic
ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
MoreLess
Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility)
Psychiatric disturbances...
Pre­term delivery
Porphyria ­ toxic
Pancreatic cancer
Nephrotic syndrome
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age
Immune suppression
Hearing loss
Glomerulonephritis
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Delayed growth
Cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmias
Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty)
MoreLess
Wilm's Tumor
Uterine cancer...
Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism
Stomach cancer
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)
Osteoporosis
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome)
Lung cancer
Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer)
Erectile dysfunction
Diabetes ­ Type II
Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial
Colo­rectal cancer
Carcinoid
Breast cancer
Brain cancer ­adult
Bladder cancer
Alzheimer's
Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty)
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
MoreLess
Manganese Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders
Cholestasis
MoreLess
Psychiatric disturbances
Pneumonitis hypersensitivity...
Pneumonia
Peripheral neuropathy
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
Bronchitis ­ acute
ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity
MoreLess
Skeletal malformations
Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility)...
Peripheral neuropathy
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome)
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Metal fume fever
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Erectile dysfunction
Delayed growth
COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
Naphthalene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Methemoglobinemia
MoreLess
Cataracts
Anemia ­ hemolytic
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Pesticides/Insecticides Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Contact dermatitis ­ Irritant...
Contact dermatitis ­ Allergic
MoreLess
Testicular cancer
Renal (kidney) cancer...
Porphyria ­ toxic
Photosensitivity
Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders
Myelodysplastic syndrome
Multiple myeloma
Childhood Leukemias
Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma
MoreLess
Wilm's Tumor
Vasculitis...
Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism
Thyroid cancer
Thrombocytopenic purpura
Soft tissue sarcoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Retinoblastoma
Pneumonia
Melanoma
Laryngeal cancer
Esophageal cancer
Congenital malformations ­ general
Cirrhosis
Cervical cancer
Bronchitis ­ chronic
Bronchitis ­ acute
Alzheimer's
ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
MoreLess
Petroleum Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Multiple myeloma
Laryngeal cancer
MoreLess
Phenanthrene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Tetrachloroethene (PERC) Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Toluene (BTEX compounds) Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Fetal solvent syndrome/ Fetal Ethanol Syndrome
Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial
MoreLess
Steatosis (fatty liver)
Scleroderma...
Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility)
Menstrual disorders
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Developmental Delay
Delayed growth
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Arrhythmias
Acute tubular necrosis
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
MoreLess
Stomach cancer
Peripheral neuropathy...
Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome)
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Multiple myeloma
Immune suppression
Genito­urinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias)
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
Colo­rectal cancer
Color vision disturbance
Cirrhosis
Brain cancer ­adult
Asthma ­irritant
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
MoreLess
Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
MoreLess
Scleroderma
Renal (kidney) cancer...
Psychiatric disturbances
Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's
Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer)
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium
Cirrhosis
Childhood Leukemias
Cardiac congenital malformations
Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
Trigeminal neuropathy
Testicular cancer...
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Raynaud's phenomenon
Prostate cancer
Peripheral neuropathy
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic cancer
Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate)
Neural tube defects/CNS malformations
Nephrotic syndrome
Multiple myeloma
Lung cancer
Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age
Immune suppression
Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma)
Genito­urinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias)
Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span)
Choanal atresia
Cervical cancer
Brain cancer ­adult
Adult­-Onset Leukemias
ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity
Acute tubular necrosis
MoreLess
Vanadium Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Bronchitis ­ chronic...
Asthma ­ allergic
MoreLess
Acute tubular necrosis
MoreLess
Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility)
Pneumonia...
Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth)
Bronchitis ­ acute
MoreLess
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Rhinitis ­ irritant
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Xylene Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed -
MoreLess
Scleroderma
Menstrual disorders...
Arrhythmias
MoreLess
Stomach cancer
Peripheral neuropathy...
Delayed growth
Colo­rectal cancer
Brain cancer ­adult
Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
MoreLess
Zinc Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed
Skin ulceration
MoreLess
-
MoreLess
Testicular cancer
MoreLess
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If you worked or were stationed at Mather Air Force Base and developed health issues related to toxic exposure, you could be eligible for disabled veteran benefits. Contact our California VA lawyers for a free evaluation of your case.

*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.

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