Potential Exposure at Fort McClellan
Photo: U.S. Army
Fort McClellan was an Army base in Alabama that opened in 1917 and closed in 1999 as part of the Army Base Closure and Realignment Committee (BRAC) program. It was a major training site for groups such as the U.S. Army Chemical Corps School, the Army Combat Development Command Chemical/Biological/Radiological Agency, the Army Military Police School, and the Women's Army Corps.
Because of the nature of the training done here, some individuals may have been exposed to hazardous materials during their service at Fort McClellan; however, the available data suggests that any exposures would have likely occurred at low levels.
Potential exposures may have included the following:
- Radioactive compounds: These included cesium-137 and cobalt-60, which were used in training exercises and radiological surveys in isolated areas on the base. These compounds were handled mostly under controlled conditions and in isolated locations. While exposure to radioactive compounds is linked to health risks, there is no clear evidence of exposures at Fort McClellan to levels that would lead to adverse health effects.
- Chemical warfare agents (CWAs): Mustard gas and nerve agents were used for decontamination training activities in isolated locations on base. This training involved decontaminating small amounts of these agents in controlled environments with safety measures in place. These agents can be highly toxic, even in small amounts, but data on specific exposure levels for personnel is limited.
- Fog oil and hexachloroethane (HC) smoke: These substances were used to create smoke for training exercises, sometimes without consistent use of protective gear. Fog oils used before 1986 contained potentially harmful ingredients, and exposure to these smokes could pose health risks if inhaled in high amounts over time. However, because data on actual exposure levels is limited, the health effects from this training remain unclear.
PCBs and the Monsanto chemical plant
From 1929 to 1971, an off-post Monsanto chemical plant operated south of Fort McClellan in Anniston, AL. PCBs from the plant were released into the environment, and the surrounding community was exposed.
Since the 1990s, studies have looked at PCB levels in Anniston residents and found elevated levels, suggesting that people living or working nearby were exposed to PCBs. However, there is limited data on PCB exposure levels for Fort McClellan personnel.
For more information on these studies, visit Anniston Community Health Survey (ACHS) | ATSDR (cdc.gov).
Federal agency activities, including ongoing research
VA regularly consults with our Federal agency partners to understand whether potential public health risks existed at the base and continues to review new information as it becomes available. These Federal Partners continue to support VA in the planning for an epidemiological study on the health of Veterans who served in the Armed Forces at Fort McClellan any time between January 1, 1935, to May 20, 1999. This study is required by the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, Section 801.
VA has begun an extensive review of historical documentation to understand the environmental and occupational conditions experienced by Veterans stationed at Fort McClellan. This data will provide insights necessary for the development of a study design that will investigate links between military service at Fort McClellan and reported health conditions among Veterans.
Veteran health care and compensation benefits
VA encourages Veterans who are experiencing health issues believed to be related to their service at Fort McClellan to see their primary care provider or local environmental health clinician. There is no VA environmental health registry associated with service at Fort McClellan.
Veterans may also file a claim for disability compensation. VA decides these claims on a case-by-case basis.
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