Carcinogen discovered in 2 more F-16l jets
Formaldehyde discovered in three of 10 jets so far. IAF chief: Training halted until solution is found
An Israel Air Force investigation unearthed carcinogen formaldehyde in two additional F-16l jets, after it was first discovered in a jet of the same model a week and a half ago.
Twenty jets have been sent to be tested, and the results have arrived for 10 of them. Three of the jets tested positive for formaldehyde, found in the cockpit.
Following the results, IAF chief Eliezer Shkedi halted all training on the affected jets. The reason for the presence of formaldehyde on some of the jets, as opposed to all of them, is being investigated by a team of IAF officials together with representatives of the jets' manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.
Results from the other jets are scheduled to arrive within the next few days, and meanwhile the IAF has said it will attempt to minimize the threat towards pilots that were exposed to the carcinogen by seeking international medical advice on the matter.
The IAF also stated that training on the affected jets will not be resumed until a solution is found. However, if it becomes necessary to use the jets for operational needs, they will be deployed.
The IAF estimated that while most of the F-16l jets were exposed to the carcinogen, the risk of cancerous effects on the pilots was deemed low. Shkedi recently held a special conference for the pilots, in which they were told about the tests they would undergo to make sure that they were not at risk.
"I am taking this matter very seriously," Shkedi told the soldiers. "We will spare no cost or resource in investigating this issue until a short and long-term solution is found."
