A research team from the University of Newcastle (Australia) has completed an investigation into whether there is an association between adverse health and an involvement in F-111 fuel tank deseal/reseal activities and, if so, the nature and strength of that association.
The current health status of those workers was compared with the health of groups of workers with similar backgrounds from Amberley and Richmond air bases.
Yield of literature review
Associations between exposure and health outcomes
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and Other Neurological Examinations
- Other Neurological Outcomes
- Neuropsychology
- Reproductive Health Effects
- Other health effects
- Health and the Manufacture and Maintenance of Aircraft
Measurement of exposure and outcomes
- Bio-markers
- Measurement of Neuropsychological Deficits
Summary of Results and Implications for General Health and Medical Study
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and other Neurological Effects
- Birth Defects
- Neuropsychology
- Other Health Effects
- Biomarkers
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.468.8401&rep=rep1&type=pdf
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When the RAAF and the Australian Government discovered there was a chemical exposure problem and associated health problems amongst aircraft maintenance personnel they initiated some health studies one of which became known as SHOAMP. These studies are ongoing and report every 4 years to the best of our knowledge.
Australia does have a Department of Veteran Affairs and operates schemes whereby medical & financial support are in place to support RAAF personnel affected by the F1-11 Deseal / Reseal program.
These schemes are far from perfect and are a cause of ongoing stress amongst Australian survivors but obviously preferable to Ireland where Irish Air Corps sick personnel have to risk their home to take the the state to court while our compassionate medically qualified Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar recently refused medical help for Air Corps personnel in the Irish parliament and goaded sick survivors to sue.
Any person who served in the Irish Army Air Corps needs to read the above document which is the 2003 SHOAMP report. Unfortunately many links on the Australian DVA website are down. As we find newer SHOAMP reports we will make them available.