Missouri Air Force Base Discovers Elevated Radon Levels at Childcare Center
A Missouri Air Force base recently faced scrutiny when it failed to respond to tests revealing high radon levels in two rooms at its childcare center. A memo sent to all Whiteman Air Force Base personnel by the 509th Bomb Wing leadership disclosed that radon samples were taken in 2022 at the childcare center, showing elevated levels in the baby and toddler rooms. Surprisingly, no action was taken until a September 2023 audit highlighted this issue.
The authenticity of the memo was confirmed by the Air Force. It was initially shared on the “Air Force amn/nco/snco” Facebook page. In June 2022, the tests detected radon levels above the accepted federal standard in those rooms, while the rest of the facility remained within acceptable limits. These results were reported to the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) but went unaddressed.
The memo states, “We are reviewing internal records and working with our partners at USAFSAM to determine how this breakdown occurred.” In the baby room, the reading was 1.24 WLM/year (working level month per year), and in the toddler room, it was 6.33 WLM/year—both exceeding the exposure limit of 0.8 WLM/year.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, was described in a question-and-answer sheet accompanying the memo as a silent threat. It is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it undetectable to human senses. Radon originates from the breakdown of uranium in rocks, soil, and water, entering buildings through foundation cracks and gaps.
Exposure to radon can heighten the risk of developing lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., second only to smoking. In response to this oversight, the memo outlined that civil engineering would conduct further tests, close affected rooms exceeding the limit, and collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency to address the issue swiftly.
The childcare center also established a priority system for exposed children to receive care and began compiling a list of potentially affected individuals. Despite the alarming situation, the memo sought to reassure parents, stating that the risk of their children developing lung cancer due to exposure at the center is significantly less than 1%.
An Air Force spokesperson expressed the military branch’s commitment to addressing the issue and conducting a thorough assessment of radon levels and mitigation measures. They pledged to provide updates on the investigation’s progress and ensure the safety of children and workers.
Whiteman Air Force Base did not respond immediately to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.