Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 25, 2008 Adar2 19, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:45 (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

IAF official: All F-16I pilots were exposed to carcinogen in cockpit By Yuval Azoulay All Israel Air Force pilots who work with Sufa-type F-16Is have been exposed to a cancerous substance found in the cockpit of one of the fighter planes last week, the defense establishment believes. Extended exposure to the substance, a form of formaldehyde, is believed to increase the risk of leukemia. Pilots began to complain of sore throats about three years ago, but the number of complaints rose recently. Most complaints came from pilots serving at the Hatzerim Air Force base. Army sources say an investigation at the time did not locate the irritant. Advertisement A senior Air Force officer yesterday said the source of the toxic substance had not been determined, and that it was detected only when the plane engines were running at full capacity. Experts are trying to determine whether the offending substance may have come from pollution from cars, homes or cigarette smoke, or whether it was from the F-16Is themselves. Since the initial discovery of the substance last week, four planes have been examined, and only one was found to contain the toxin. The entire fleet of F-16Is is to undergo inspection over the next few days. Meanwhile, practice flights with these planes have been canceled. Combat flights, however, are being carried out as normal. In addition, a joint U.S.-Israeli team has been set up to investigate the incident, including members of the U.S. and Israeli air forces, and the F-16I's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. The American aerospace company said it was unaware of other air forces that use the F-16Is having similar incidents. The plane is used by the air forces of Switzerland, Greece and the United Arab Emirates. 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 chief calls on Muslims to strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids.

Today Online Al-Qaida No. 2: Strike Jews 'everywhere' over Gaza raids Responses: 109 Nasrallah: The Zionist entity can be wiped out of existence Responses: 92 Barak: We must take Hezbollah's latest threats seriously Responses: 54 Loving Jesus but fearing the neighbors in Ariel Responses: 66 Shahar Ilan: The dangerous vision of an Arab-free Knesset Responses: 42 More Headlines 00:11 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 21:40 Bank of Israel cuts interest rate to lowest level in history 02:43 ANALYSIS / Nasrallah threatened punishment not revenge 19:22 Arab MKs storm out of Knesset when Lieberman speaks 02:34 Knesset approves precedent setting organ donor law 01:54 Police believe they may have captured Bnei Brak serial rapist 19:10 Rosner's Guest: Daniel Kurtzer 01:00 Rubinstein Piano Competition: semi-finals / The Mozart hurdle 15:22 Palestinians: Civilian dead, another hurt as IDF troops enter Gaza 18:14 Qureia: Fatah signed reconciliation draft with Hamas due to mixup Previous Editions Select Day 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar

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