Dangerous levels of a compound linked to cancer were found last year inside an aircraft hangar at McConnell Air Force Base, and a memo warns more than 50 personnel may have been exposed to it.
Documents obtained by McClatchy show contamination by hexavalent chrominium — the subject of the case featured in the movie “Erin Brockovich” — was documented in base memos. The chemical is an anti-corrosion agent and is found in paints and primers used on the KC-135 and KC-46.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration warns exposure can cause respiratory diseases, kidney, liver or abdominal damage and various cancers.