Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 24, 2008 Adar2 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 23:00 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 22:52 23/03/2008 IAF official: All F16I pilots were exposed to carcinogenic substance By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: F16, Lockheed Martin  A senior official in the Israel Air Force on Sunday said that according to his estimates, all the F16I pilots in the air force were exposed to a carcinogenic material that was discovered in one of the cockpits last week. The material was identified as formaldehyde, which has been proven to cause cancer in high levels of exposure. All F16I flights were grounded on Friday pending the investigation into the matter. F16I pilots have been complaining of irritations of mucous membranes and throat for three years, but recently, the complaints rose dramatically. Most of the complaints were lodged by pilots serving at an IAF base in southern Israel. Advertisement The IAF said that the earlier complaints were investigated, but nothing was ever found. A senior air force officer said Sunday that the source of the toxic material was still under investigation. He stressed that the substance in question is prevalent in cars, homes and more. Since the discovery of the substance in the cockpit of one of the fighter jets Friday, four pilots have been tested, but only one tested positive for exposure. In the coming days, the IAF is expected to speed up the pilots' medical tests while testing all the planes of this kind. IAF commander Eliezer Shkedy issued instruction prohibiting training flights of the F16I planes, but allowing operational flights. According to the officer, the substance could cause throat cancer, but stressed that the likelihood of cancer is about 1 to 100,000. "In any case, this kind of cancer could erupt up to 15 years after the initial exposure," he said. In recent days, an inquiry committee has been established to investigate the IAF incident, possible similar cases in the U.S. air force, and the F16I manufacturer Lockheed Martin. The American technology company said that there were no known cases of formaldehyde leaks in other air forces around the world that use the F16 model. F16 fighter jets are used by the Swiss, Greek and UAE air forces. Related articles: Court rules in favor of soldier who developed cancer in the line of duty Secret IDF anthrax vaccine trial on soldiers to be investigated Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nothing to fear Nasrallah says power of IDF exaggerated, Zionist entity can be wiped out. Sharing the blame Al-Qaida deputy calls on Muslims to strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids.   1.   See this in proportion... 19:40  |  Prof 23/03/08   2.   Formaldehyde 20:41  |  Always Suspicious 23/03/08   3.   Agree with #1 prof 20:51  |  EZ 23/03/08   4.   Formaldehyde and smokers 21:10  |  Clickfool 23/03/08   5.   Time to bring back the "Lavi"! 21:33  |  Stephen. 23/03/08   6.   Swiss has no F16 21:34  |  swiss 23/03/08   7.   Part 1,Formaldehyde and related compounds have been used in 21:45  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 23/03/08   8.   Part 2, Formaldehyde and related compounds..... 22:05  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 23/03/08   9.   Part3, Formaldehyde and related compounds... 22:17  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 23/03/08   10.   Part 4, Formaldehyde and related compounds 22:28  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 23/03/08   11.   #6 swiss 22:54  |  MR 23/03/08   12.   Joey 00:32  |  swiss f-16?!!! 24/03/08   13.   # 11 00:32  |  swiss 24/03/08   14.   what`s the real reason? 00:53  |  Joel 24/03/08   15.   Millions of students of Biological sciences exposed to formalin 01:24  |  PETER SM 24/03/08   16.   Deadly weapon indeed... 01:27  |  Fortuna Benmayor 24/03/08   17.   Questions Haaretz should have asked in this article 01:35  |  Mark Lincoln 24/03/08   18.   Beware 01:36  |  anonymous 24/03/08   19.   Formaldehyde 01:50  |  J David 24/03/08   20.   Grounded F-16 I Pilots 02:12  |  Scott Havsy 24/03/08   21.   Anonymous - what? 02:14  |  Mark Lincoln 24/03/08   22.   Max, in your opinion does it do any damage ro the BBB? 02:14  |  Karl 24/03/08   23.   # 22 karl, I dont think formaldehyde is reacting or 05:31  |  Max Zinger,P.Chimist 24/03/08

Today Online Al-Qaida No. 2: Strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids Responses: 99 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence Responses: 80 Barak: We must take Hezbollah's latest threats seriously Responses: 53 Loving Jesus but fearing the neighbors in Ariel Responses: 60 Shahar Ilan: The dangerous vision of an Arab-free Knesset Responses: 37 Rosner's Domain Guest, Kurtzer: US needs to be a 'honest broker' A ceasefire must be clear on the point of rocket fire (WTR) Govt. to appeal ruling on classified material in AIPAC trial There's no need for American pressure on Israel Poll: Mideast summit in Moscow, a good idea? More Headlines 19:26 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence 21:57 IDF soldier suspected of handing intel over to Hezbollah 17:26 Barak: We'll ease W. Bank plight, but checkpoints to stay for now 19:22 Arab MKs storm out of Knesset when Lieberman speaks 18:14 Qureia: Fatah signed reconciliation draft with Hamas due to mixup 21:40 Bank of Israel cuts interest rate to lowest level in history 19:10 Rosner's Guest: Daniel Kurtzer 15:22 Palestinians: Civilian dead, another hurt as IDF troops enter Gaza 14:02 Al-Qaida No. 2: Muslims must strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids 22:41 Knesset okays for first time 2 laws governing organ transplants 19:42 Israel hands over remains of Jordanian soldier killed in 1967 war 22:04 Welfare Min. data shows 10,000 children at risk of parental abuse Previous Editions Select Day 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar

Special Offers Advertisement FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM FREE JEWISH HISTORY COURSE Berel Wein's best selling lectures. 5000 Years in Five hours /CD/MP3 Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved