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2004/2005 ANNUAL REPORT
17. Expert Committee - Australian Special Air Services Health Concerns
As reported in 2003-2004, in December 2002 the Hon. Danna Vale, Minister
for Veterans’ Affairs, established the Expert Panel to identify and document
exposures of concern arising through Special Air Services (SAS) operational
skills enhancement and training and to examine their possible adverse health
effects. The Expert Panel was also asked to consider the need for further
research and whether any particular matters should be drawn to the attention
of the Authority.
The Panel presented its report to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
in December 2003. Members of the Expert Panel also presented the findings
to the Australian Special Air Services Association in Perth in March 2004.
The Authority’s existing Statements of Principles covered most of
the possible adverse health effects of the exposures of concern and the Authority
has notified investigations for other conditions which were not already covered.
The Authority has also amended relevant Statements of Principles to include
references to CS agent and smokes and is monitoring the literature on stressors
and the carcinogenicity of specified smokes.
Recommendation 5 of the Report stated:
The RMA and occupational health authorities
within the ADF should monitor literature on the potential human carcinogenicity
of hexachloroethane smoke and its combustion products and also 2-aminoanthroquinone,
solvent yellow 33 and disperse blue 180 (chemical constituents of certain
coloured smokes). Within the limitations of training and operational requirements,
it would be prudent to minimise exposure to coloured smoke and masking agents.
In accordance with this recommendation, the Authority has reviewed
recent literature on “coloured smokes” and concluded that there is no new
information in conflict with the Expert Committee’s conclusions as set out
in the report, and no material that would suggest a change to the existing
Statements of Principles.
This conclusion
will be reported to the ADF via the MAP meeting scheduled for July 2005.
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This page last updated 28 September 2005.
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