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Issue No. 232 | 06 August 2004 |
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Tarnished Rings
Interview: Trading Places Safety: Snow Job Politics: In the Vanguard Unions: Gentle Giant Goes For Gold Bad Boss: 'Porker' Chases Blue Ribbon International: Cruising For A Bruising History: Under the Influence Economics: Working Capital Review: Fahrenheit 9/11 Poetry: Bad Intelligence Rap Satire: Osama Bin Manchu
Parliament The Soapbox The Locker Room Tribute Postcard
 An Officer And A TeacherTom Goes AsexualRoad Rage At WorkDemocracy In ActionAsbestos Bastadry
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News Fighter in Cancer Link
ALAEA national secretary, David Kemp, is urging government to fully compensate affected personnel, many of whom went into civilian life as members of his organisation.
"These are men who worked to protect our country by keeping a technical advantage over potential aggressors and now it looks like the government is prepared to abandon them," Kemp said. The engineers performed fuel tank maintenance on F-111 fighter-bomber aircraft over the past 30 years. Maintenance workers were required to enter the cupboard sized tanks and break down chemical seals with highly toxic solvents like SR51. Half-faced respirators and light cotton overalls were issued to workers during this process. Dr John Attia, from Newcastle University, says the combination of organic solvents, cramped working space, lack of protective equipment and hot temperatures may have led to the high rate of cancer.. Ian Fraser, who worked on the tanks at Queensland's Amberly Air Force base, says some servicemen spent up to two years cramped in tiny spaces scratching sealant off thousands of tiny rivets. "It was shocking work in itself, but you couldn't just quit because you were in the service, " he says. Fraser, who maintained the tanks in the early 80's, says he knew at the time the chemicals were harmful because of mood swings and the constant stench of chemicals he was unable to wash off "You basically became a social leper for a year, I went from being a normal person to a very angry young man," says Fraser. Fraser who now runs a support group for F111 workers says many have suffered from cancers, skin conditions, lung complaints, memory problems and mood swings. "There are any number of my colleagues now who have passed away, some were in their late 20's and mid 30's," says Fraser. Fraser says the government should compensate ex-servicemen fully for their loss of quality of life as well as pay their medical expenses. "I am frustrated and angry because the government isn't moving fast enough to look at the needs of desealers," says Fraser. Engineers who worked on Air Force Hercules and Orion aircraft have also begun reporting similar symptoms to those suffered by their F111 colleagues. Another University study looking at other health complaints of the F111 engineers such as neurological and cardio-vascular ailments will be submitted to the chief of the Air Force this month.
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