Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach, SC
Known Toxins1
Years of Operation1939-1993
Base Background
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base opened as a municipal airport in 1939, and it became a defense site a year later. The initial mission of the base was firearm and mission training. During the 20th century, base personnel also focused on air crew training and recruitment. This location officially closed in 1993.
Toxic Exposure History
Firefighting foam used at the base is now known to have included PFAS compounds and groundwater testing has found PFOA in the groundwater beneath the old base. The Air Force and environmental regulators continue to monitor groundwater, soil, and wells in and around the site.
Multiple installations in South Carolina have been contaminated with PFAS, including Shaw Air Force Base, Joint Base Charleston, Fort Jackson near Columbia, SC and McCrady Training Center. If you were stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base or these other military bases and later experienced adverse health effects related to PFAS exposure, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Contact us for a free case evaluation – we’ll either assist you or point you in the right direction.
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 | ||
| PFAS (Firefighting Foam) | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | - | - | Testicular cancer Renal (kidney) cancer... Prostate cancer |
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.
If you served at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and believe you’re facing health issues linked to PFAS, you may have grounds for a VA disability claim. Such claims can however be difficult to prove, as they require showing a clear connection between the disability and the time spent at the base. Get a free case evaluation to see how we can help you.