Mather Air Force Base
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 toxins associated with this military location and the potential effects of exposure.*
| Toxin | Potential Effects | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| Diesel Fuel | Potential Effects | - | - | - |
| Gasoline | Potential Effects | - | - | Fetal solvent syndrome/ Fetal Ethanol Syndrome |
| Heavy metals (misc.) | Potential Effects | Pneumonitis hypersensitivity | - | Multiple myeloma, Chronic renal disease |
| Pesticides/Insecticides | Potential Effects | Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Contact dermatitis Irritant, Contact dermatitis Allergic | Testicular cancer, Renal (kidney) cancer, Porphyria toxic, Photosensitivity, Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Multiple myeloma, Childhood Leukemias, Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma | 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) |
| Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | Potential Effects | Rhinitis irritant | - | - |
If you worked or were stationed at Mather Air Force Base and are experiencing adverse health effects, you may be eligible for compensation.
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.