SEC. 777.

Review of the occupational health and safety conditions of operational facilities associated with the LGM–30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system

DIVISION A · TITLE VII: Health Care Provisions · SUBTITLE C: Studies, Reports, and Other Matters

Source
SECTION TEXT · SEC. 777.

(a) In general

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense Policy and Programs, shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Executive Officer of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a review of the occupational health and safety conditions of covered operational facilities.

(b) Elements

The review required by subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

An independent review of the methodology and findings of the Missile Community Cancer Study conducted by the Air Force Medical Service and Air Force Global Strike Command.

(2)

An independent assessment of occupational hazards, covered toxic substances, and operational activities associated with the LGM–30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system that accounts for—

(A)

enclosed space dynamics;

(B)

ventilation inefficiencies; and

(C)

limited fresh air exchange rates.

(3)

An independent case-controlled retrospective study of cancer incidence rates among—

(A)

Minuteman III missile launch officers and support personnel; compared to

(B)

a group of members of the Air Force with—

(i)

a substantially similar demographic makeup to the group of launch officers and support personnel included in the study;

(ii)

responsibilities that are not associated with the Minuteman III system; and

(iii)

a low potential for occupational exposure to covered toxic substances, as determined by Air Force Specialty Code and occupational duties.

(4)

A comparative evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of historic versus current year environmental surveillance policies, procedures, and technologies of the Department of the Air Force for covered operational facilities used to detect exposure to covered toxic substances and occupational hazards, including—

(A)

air quality;

(B)

groundwater and drinking water contamination;

(C)

ventilation systems and particulate matter accumulation; and

(D)

residual contamination associated with confined operational environments.

(5)

An evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of policies, procedures, and technologies of the Department of the Air Force to prevent occupational hazards, and reduce exposure to covered toxic substances, associated with the Minuteman III system including—

(A)

personal protective equipment;

(B)

engineering controls;

(C)

environmental surveillance; and

(D)

other policies, procedures, and technologies deemed relevant.

(6)

An evaluation of the suitability and effectiveness of policies, procedures, and technologies of the Department of the Air Force and the Department of Defense for reporting and periodic medical screening, testing, and evaluations for potential exposure to occupational hazards and covered toxic substances for personnel associated with the Minuteman III system.

(7)

Recommendations of the Executive Officer with respect to—

(A)

Department of Defense actions to ensure that occupational health and safety conditions of covered operational facilities—

(i)

meet current occupational safety and national security requirements in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(ii)

are applied to the LGM–35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile system; and

(B)

potential modifications to—

(i)

the current design and operation of the LGM–30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system; and

(ii)

the future design and operation of the Sentinel system.

(c) Information and clearances

The Secretary of Defense shall ensure that personnel of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine supervising the implementation of the agreement required by subsection (a), or conducting the review required by such subsection, are granted, in a timely manner, access to the information and security clearances necessary to carry out such review.

(d) Report required

(1) In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Executive Officer of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the findings of the review required by subsection (a).

(2) Form

The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.

(e) Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term covered operational facilities mean physical structures and work environments associated with the LGM–30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system, including—

(A)

launch control facilities;

(B)

launch facilities;

(C)

missile alert facilities; and

(D)

other associated facilities.

(2)

The term covered toxic substances means contaminants and other risk factors that pose a significant health risk to an individual when inhaled, ingested, absorbed by, or in close proximity to, the individual, including—

(A)

asbestos;

(B)

radiation;

(C)

polychlorinated biphenyls;

(D)

combustion byproducts associated with burning classified materials, accelerants, and industrial solvents;

(E)

volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including VOCs from cleaning and maintenance chemicals;

(F)

radon and naturally occurring radioactive materials in subterranean facilities;

(G)

hydrogen cyanide, hydrazine, ethylene glycol, and sodium chromate;

(H)

pesticides and herbicides from facility perimeters and surrounding agricultural runoff;

(I)

noise; and

(J)

other chemical compounds or elements associated with the LGM–30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system or covered operational facilities.