Norton Air Force Base

Base Background

Location 1601, East 3rd Street, San Bernardino, California, 92408, United States
Years of Operation 1942-1994

After first opening as a municipal airport, this base was established as the San Bernardino Army Air Field in 1942. During World War II, this site mainly served as a repair and maintenance facility. Following the war, the base became one of the main jet engine maintenance centers in the country. It was named Norton Air Force Base in 1950. In the decades before its closure, the base provided airlift and food services to combat units around the world.

In the early 1980’s, the Air Force discovered pollution related to waste disposal. They discovered that the  groundwater contained solvents like trichloroethene (TCE), so the military began cleanup activities in 1982.

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
Antimony Potential Effects Bronchitis ­ chronic COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Arrhythmias Pulmonary edema, Nasal septal perforation, Menstrual disorders, Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Bladder cancer, Anemia ­ hemolytic, Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
Arsenic Potential Effects Peripheral neuropathy, Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation, Diabetes ­ Type II, Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis 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 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
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)
Beryllium Potential Effects Skin ulceration, Pneumonitis hypersensitivity, Pneumoconiosis, Chronic renal disease, Berylliosis Renal stones, Pulmonary fibrosis, Pulmonary edema, Pneumonia, Nasal septal perforation, Granulomatous disease (liver), Bronchitis ­ acute Seizures, Sarcoidosis, Mesothelioma, Immune suppression, Cardiomyopathy, Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma
Cadmium Potential Effects Renal stones, Osteoporosis, Itai­itai disease, Chronic renal disease, Acute tubular necrosis Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Prostate cancer, Pneumonia, Nephrotic syndrome, COPD ­chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cardiomyopathy, Anemia ­ hemolytic 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)
Chlordane Potential Effects - Porphyria ­ toxic, Peripheral neuropathy Soft tissue sarcoma, Multiple Sclerosis, Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's, Lung cancer, Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones ­ FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens), Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Childhood Leukemias, Breast cancer, Aplastic anemia, Adult­-Onset Leukemias
Chlorobenzene Potential Effects - - -
Chloroethene Potential Effects - - -
Chromium Potential Effects Skin ulceration, Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders, Nasopharyngeal/Sino­Nasal cancer, Nasal septal perforation, Nasal polyps, Cholestasis, Bronchitis ­ acute, Asthma ­ allergic 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 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)
Chrysene Potential Effects - - -
Copper Potential Effects - 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 Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary fibrosis, Neural tube defects/CNS malformations, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Immune suppression, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Acute tubular necrosis
Cyanide Potential Effects Seizures, Myocardial ischemia, Arrhythmias Peripheral neuropathy -
Dinitrobenzene (misc.) Potential Effects - - -
Ethylbenzene Potential Effects - - -
Heavy metals (misc.) Potential Effects Pneumonitis hypersensitivity - Multiple myeloma, Chronic renal disease
Indeno pyrene Potential Effects - - -
Lead Potential Effects 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) 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) 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)
Mercury Potential Effects Peripheral neuropathy, Hearing loss, Behavioral problems, Acute tubular necrosis Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hormonal changes (levels of circulating sex hormones ­ FSH/LH, Inhibin, and/or estrogens, progesterones, and androgens), Glomerulonephritis, Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Congenital malformations ­ general, Chronic renal disease, Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA, Aplastic anemia, Anemia ­ hemolytic Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism, Scleroderma, Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility), Reduced Fertility Male (infertility and subfertility), Neurosthenia (Organic affective syndrome), Nephrotic syndrome, Myocardial ischemia, Menstrual disorders, Coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, atherosclerosis
Naphthalene Potential Effects Methemoglobinemia Cataracts, Anemia ­ hemolytic -
Nickel Potential Effects Asthma ­ allergic Stomach cancer, Pulmonary fibrosis, Pulmonary edema, Nasal septal perforation, Laryngeal cancer, Immune suppression Soft tissue sarcoma, Renal (kidney) cancer, Prostate cancer, Myocardial ischemia, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Metal fume fever, Mesothelioma, Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth), Arrhythmias
PFAS (Firefighting Foam) Potential Effects - - Testicular cancer, Renal (kidney) cancer, Prostate cancer
Polychlorinated Byphenyls (PCBs) Potential Effects Thyroid disorders ­Hypothyroidism, Porphyria ­ toxic, Developmental Delay, Decreased I.Q../Mental retardation, Cirrhosis, Chloracne, Behavioral problems, ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity Peripheral neuropathy, Pancreatic cancer, Menstrual disorders, Lymphoma non ­Hodgkin's, Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age, Immune suppression, Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer), Dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, Delayed growth, Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial, Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span), Bronchitis ­ chronic, Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis), Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count) Testicular cancer, Reduced Fertility ­ Female (infertility and subfertility), Parkinson's disease/Movement disorders, Hypoactivity, Hypertension, Hyperkeratosis/Hyperpigmentation, Hearing loss, Endometriosis, Diabetes ­ Type I, Breast cancer, Bone cancer/Ewings sarcoma, Altered time to sexual maturation (accelerated or delayed puberty), Altered sex ratio
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
Radium Potential Effects - - Nasopharyngeal/Sino­Nasal cancer
Selenium Potential Effects - - Pulmonary edema, Cirrhosis, Alopecia
Silver Potential Effects - - Chronic renal disease
Tetrachloroethanes Potential Effects Cirrhosis, Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) Steatosis (fatty liver) Acute tubular necrosis, Abnormal sperm (morphology, motility, and sperm count)
Thallium Potential Effects Peripheral neuropathy Alopecia Psychiatric disturbances, Menstrual disorders
Toluene (BTEX compounds) Potential Effects Fetal solvent syndrome/ Fetal Ethanol Syndrome, Congenital malformation Cranio­ Facial 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) 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)
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Potential Effects Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) 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 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
Xylene Potential Effects - Scleroderma, Menstrual disorders, Arrhythmias Stomach cancer, Peripheral neuropathy, Delayed growth, Colo­rectal cancer, Brain cancer ­adult, Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis)
Zinc Potential Effects Skin ulceration - Testicular cancer

If you were stationed or worked at Norton Air Force Base and have experienced adverse health effects, you may be eligible for compensation. Request a free case evaluation from a California VA lawyer.

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