Kilgor
07-19-2004, 12:46 AM
Up to 900 Australian workers were at risk of getting cancer from working on F-111 fuel tanks over the past 30 years, a study has found.
The Australian Defence Force has released the findings of a study by Doctor John Attia into the F-111 re-seal/de-seal fuel tank maintenance program near Brisbane.
The study follows a report two years ago which found 400 workers at the Amberley Air Force Base near Brisbane were exposed to chemical, making them sick.
Dr Attia has now confirmed he believes there is a link between the fuel tank program and cancer.
"Basically what the study found was that there appears to be a 50 per cent increase in the incidence of cancer among the people who worked on de-seal/re-seal," Dr Attia told ABC Radio."
"Certainly this study does support there is some evidence there for their claims.
"We obviously can't be 100 per cent certain, all we can actually say now is there does appear to be an association but we can't pinpoint what the positive factor was."
A health report is due out by the ADF later this year, with the Department of Veteran Affairs expected to consider compensation and ongoing care for victims.
Brisbane lawyer Simon Harrison, who represents several maintenance workers, said the study "nailed" the federal government on liability for cancer sufferers.
"It means that at long last they (the workers) have actually been vindicated," Mr Harrison told ABC radio.
He said he hoped the federal government fully accepted the recommendations of the study.
Copyright AAP 2004
The Australian Defence Force has released the findings of a study by Doctor John Attia into the F-111 re-seal/de-seal fuel tank maintenance program near Brisbane.
The study follows a report two years ago which found 400 workers at the Amberley Air Force Base near Brisbane were exposed to chemical, making them sick.
Dr Attia has now confirmed he believes there is a link between the fuel tank program and cancer.
"Basically what the study found was that there appears to be a 50 per cent increase in the incidence of cancer among the people who worked on de-seal/re-seal," Dr Attia told ABC Radio."
"Certainly this study does support there is some evidence there for their claims.
"We obviously can't be 100 per cent certain, all we can actually say now is there does appear to be an association but we can't pinpoint what the positive factor was."
A health report is due out by the ADF later this year, with the Department of Veteran Affairs expected to consider compensation and ongoing care for victims.
Brisbane lawyer Simon Harrison, who represents several maintenance workers, said the study "nailed" the federal government on liability for cancer sufferers.
"It means that at long last they (the workers) have actually been vindicated," Mr Harrison told ABC radio.
He said he hoped the federal government fully accepted the recommendations of the study.
Copyright AAP 2004