Beryllium
(The author of this first article is unknown, but it is most probably from a newspaper
journalist)
UP to 3000 sailors have been exposed to a deadly dust while serving in the navy.
The dust was created during routine work on the hulls of HMAS SUPPLY and the aircraft
carrier HMAS MELBOURNE and all personnel who served on the ships between the
1950s and 1985 are being urged to have medical tests.
The dust came from machines called jason pistols which were used to scour paint and
rust from the ships. The pistols used vibrating rods coated with an alloy containing a
heavy metal called beryllium. It is now known beryllium dust can cause fatal and
untreatable lung disease, similar to asbestosis. Beryllium poisoning has led to huge
compensation claims overseas, particularly in the US. Jason pistols containing the
metal stopped being used in 1985.
The Australian navy would not comment other than to confirm the jason pistols were
used by servicemen and the subject was under investigation. The danger was identified
by veterans' group the Naval Tankerman Association in mid-December. It has urged all
its members, via its website, to see a doctor. National President Bob Currin said: "We
have established that 3000 seamen and women were serving on the ships that used
jason pistols over the relevant period. Hundreds have suffered breathing problems, but
up to now they have been catalogued as asbestosis. We do not know how many of them
may be caused by beryllium."
The alert was sounded after former naval officer Peter Robertson, who served on HMAS
SUPPLY, received a medical report indicating beryllium exposure. "I was in the navy
for 23 years and I never got told about this - there were no tests given," he told The
Daily Telegraph last year. "There were more than 150 crew on the HMAS SUPPLY and,
as far as I know, no one has been told."
Mr Currin, from Baradine in northwestern NSW, who says he served on HMAS SUPPLY
for nine years, said: "We knew the jason pistols were made from a special compound
that stopped them sparking off the ship's metal when we chipped the paint and rust. It's
only now we've discovered it included beryllium and was dangerous." Beryllium is a
heavy metal which, when inhaled in dust form, causes pneumonia-like symptoms,
similar to asbestosis. Beryllium poisoning kills 2 to 6 per cent of those exposed and can
lie dormant for years. Symptoms include scarred lungs, shortness of breath and
eventually death. It is incurable. It was used in jason pistols because it does not cause
sparks when used to strip metal.
HMAS SUPPLY was a refuelling ship filled with flammable oil and HMAS MELBOURNE
was an aircraft Carrier which carried large supplies of aviation fuel. "The list of those
exposed to beryllium runs to thousands, including myself," Mr Currin said. "Jason
pistols were used in general maintenance. Everyone used them. Everyone mucked in to
do the cleaning." Mr Currin said he was routinely covered head to foot in dust after
using the device. "The needles, which are made of beryllium, would vibrate to break up
the paint. As that happened, dust would come off the needles. This is the problem.
You'd be covered in dust. There's no doubt we all breathed it in."
Despite the dangers posed by beryllium being known since the 1950s, Mr Currin said
none of the hundreds of former personnel he had corresponded with in recent weeks
had been informed of the danger by the navy. He said "hundreds" of cases of reported
asbestosis among affected sailors were now being reviewed to see if beryllium was
involved. "Just the knowledge that they have been exposed is worrying their family," he
said. Mr Currin said it might never be known how many personnel had been affected
because many had claimed enhanced pensions on the grounds of having asbestosis.
Beryllium poisoning and asbestosis present similar symptoms.
Former personnel who renounced their asbestosis claims risked losing their pension
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This article was posted by the ADF to their email list and should be read in conjunction
with the previous article
EXPOSURE TO BERYLLIUM
The safety and wellbeing of all members of the Navy is of
the utmost importance to Navy. This includes an ongoing interest in the general health
and wellbeing of all former members of Navy. Navy no longer uses jason pistol needles
containing beryllium but acknowledges that jason pistol needles containing beryllium
were used in the past. Jason pistols are hydraulic tools used to strip paint from ships.
They work by vibrating a set of 'needles' against the painted metal. This causes wear on
the needles, generating dust.
We are currently investigating the extent to which jason pistol needles containing
beryllium were used in the Navy, in which ships, and over what time frame. This is a
difficult undertaking that may take some time. Relevant records from decades ago will
need to be sourced and collated to help us build a clear picture of the extent of this
problem. Navy is committed to ensuring that all reasonable avenues for providing
information on the concerns raised by our people are investigated.
Ex-servicemen or women can lodge a claim with the Department of Veterans' Affairs if
they believe they have a service-related health problem, including those who believe
they have had exposure to beryllium dust which has had a detrimental health impact.
Defence will use the results of its investigations to assist the Department of Veterans'
Affairs.
Currently serving members who believe they may have been exposed to beryllium dust
are encouraged to speak with their unit medical staff. Records from over 20 years ago
may not be comprehensive or consistent in the way possible exposure was identified
and recorded. Medical records are medical-in-confidence and Defence is unable to
comment on individual cases. In very rare cases, respiratory exposure to Beryllium
dusts can lead to the development of chronic lung disease in sensitised individuals.
Navy is currently unaware of any proven cases of occupationally-caused beryllium
disease, but is committed to working with DVA on this issue.
Contact details for the Department of Veterans' Affairs are: 133 254 or 1800 555 254
================
Another email from the ADF/DVA email posting list:
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence
THE HON DE-ANNE KELLY BE MP
003/05 Wednesday, 9 February 2005
CONCERNS ALLAYED OVER BERYLLIUM
The Departments of Defence and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) have today moved to re-assure
current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) concerned about
exposure to beryllium.
DVA has a long-standing compensation system in place for determining claims such as
those arising from beryllium exposure.
A small number of beryllium related cases have been dealt with under this system. Any
current or former member of the ADF who believes they have a health problem arising
out of their service in the ADF and who wish to make a claim are encouraged to contact
DVA.
A Beryllium Information Service will be set up through the Defence Service Call Centre
at Cooma, which will provide an opportunity for personnel and the public to register
their names.
Individuals who register will be contacted in writing regarding the appropriate course
of action for their circumstances. The Departments of Defence and Veterans Affairs will
liaise to ensure that all persons who so register receive coordinated advice.
Veterans' Affairs Minister De-Anne Kelly said she wished to re-assure current and
former Defence personnel who may be concerned following alarmist media reports
about beryllium.
"The adverse health effects of beryllium are uncommon and are generally associated
with short term high-level exposure or with long term low-level exposure," Mrs Kelly
said.
She said regulations and safety standards are in place regarding the use of beryllium in
today's ADF.
Mrs Kelly said Defence and DVA have been working closely to resolve the issues
surrounding exposure to beryllium.
"Defence and DVA are committed to taking all reasonable steps as quickly as possible to
provide information to those who are concerned about beryllium related issues," she
said.
The Beryllium Information Service will be operational in one week and a contact
number for the register will be announced at that time.
In the meantime, individuals who wish to make a claim related to beryllium exposure
should contact DVA on 133 254 or 1800 555 254.
Media contacts:
Craig Clarke (Minister Kelly's office) - 0417 889 423
Defence Media Liaison - 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
================
BERYLLIUM INFORMATION SERVICE NOW OPERATIONAL
The Department of Defence has today announced that the Beryllium Information
Service (BIS) is now operational via the ADF Defence Service Centre, Cooma, providing
an opportunity for concerned Defence personnel and the public to register their names.
Individuals who believe they were exposed to beryllium as a result of Defence-related
activities will be offered the opportunity to register their details with the Defence
Service Centre.
This Beryllium Information Service is now available and concerned individuals are
encouraged to ring 1800 000 644.
The Beryllium Register will record each caller's personal and potential exposure details.
The Service Centre expects to be contacted by four potential groups of callers.
* Currently Serving ADF and APS members.
* Ex-serving ADF members.
* Contractors working on ADF facilities or projects.
* Other third parties including former APS civilians, cadets and family members.
Individuals who register will be contacted in writing regarding the appropriate course
of action for their individual circumstances.
A Defence Health Service Beryllium Fact Sheet will make up part of all information
packages sent out along with other specifically targeted advice.
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
BLOOD TEST FOR BERYLLIUM EXPOSURE
The blood test for Beryllium is called: Beryllium-Lymphocyte Proliferation Test
(BE=LPT) this test is to detect how certain white blood cells react to Beryllium. It
appears that this test is only able to be done in the US.
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