Correction: Minot Air Force Base commanders order cleaning of facility after discovery of high PCB concentrations

(Correction) -- A spokesperson with the HQ Air Force Global Strike Command National Guard spoke to WDAY Radio and clarified numbers presented in a previous version of this article.

The numbers previously written, that Airmen are 24% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer, is related to a different study conducted by the U.S Department of Defense. Aviators were 24% more likely to be diagnosed with cancers of all kinds than the general population. Ground crew personnel, which were mentioned in the original article, are 3% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer instead of the originally listed statistic of 24%.

Additionally, approximately 3% of Airmen are Aviators. None of the originally listed statistics mentioned Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) career fields.

Results from the ICBM cancer study are still underway. Final conclusions of the study are being made by the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine.

"We are still early in our comprehensive study of any potential health impacts to our Airmen and Guardians as a result of duty in the missile community,” said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, an Air Force Global Strike Commander. “Many other tests are still being performed by our medical and bioenvironmental professionals, and as we get those results, we will provide updates to our Airmen and families in a rapid and transparent manner.”

You can find additional information about PCB's, their impacts, and what you can do as an Airman by clicking here. 

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(Minot, ND) -- Officials at Minot Air Force Base have been directed to make sure all surfaces with detectable levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB'S) are thoroughly cleaned to meet EPA thresholds.  

A team of bioenvironmental experts found PCBs, a cancer causing substance used in old electrical devices and appliances, in extensive sampling from the base and reported the results on Thursday. A total of 30 out of 300 surfaces swiped and sampled revealed detectable levels of PCB. Following sampling, base commanders ordered a cleaning of all affected surfaces.

Authorities say federal records show that Airmen are 24% more likely than the general public 3% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer.

The base will continue holding town hall meetings to give the military community a chance to be updated on medical and scientific issues.