Fuel ExposureFuel Exposure

FSGT L BeattieFSGT L BeattieACG A/WHSAACG A/WHSA

16 Jul 1516 Jul 15

Why are we hereWhy are we here

Better understanding of Military Better understanding of Military Aviation Fuels and Kerosene based fuelsAviation Fuels and Kerosene based fuels

Who is exposed and what is an exposure Who is exposed and what is an exposure Health concernsHealth concerns What studies have been done – What studies have been done –

understanding themunderstanding them What is the way forward ???What is the way forward ??? Information sourcesInformation sources

What is MATF?What is MATF?

Military Aviation Turbine Fuels (MATFs) are hydrocarbon distillate fuels

Used in jet and turboprop engines MATFs include F-34 (JP-8), F-35 (Jet

A1), F-37 (JP-8+100) and F-44 (JP-5). kerosene-type fuels – which contain

specified amounts of additives such (eg FSII and many more)

Who is exposedWho is exposed

All technical maintenance workersAll technical maintenance workers during refuels, fuel sampling, during refuels, fuel sampling,

component replacement or repair, component replacement or repair, tank entries, GSE refuelling etc.tank entries, GSE refuelling etc.

What is an exposureWhat is an exposure Absorption - sAbsorption - skin contact Inhaled - vapour Ingested

An exposure standard represents the airborne concentration of a particular substance in the worker’s breathing zone, exposure to which, according to current knowledge, should not cause adverse health effects or cause undue discomfort in most workers.

The Threshold Limit Value (TLV) is the average airborne concentration of a particular substance, calculated over an eight-hour working day, for a five-day working week, to which most people can be exposed without experiencing adverse effects

IAW American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist the TLV is 200mg/m3

Health ConcernsHealth Concerns

Short termShort term Irritation to the skin and eyes Irritation of the respiratory tract due to

inhalation of vapour Headaches, nausea and dizziness, and If swallowed may result in aspiration

(entry of material into the lung), coma, convulsions and/or death. (number of recent incidents)

Health Concerns cont…Health Concerns cont…

Long TermLong Term Dermatitis due to de-fatting and drying of the

skin Reported liver function and renal abnormalities

associated with degenerative changes Possible emotional and neurological

dysfunction, and Historically, benzene has been associated with

both leukaemia and anaemia (noting, the low level of benzene in MATFs. Most modern kerosene-based MATFs contain only very small amounts of benzene, below 0.02%)

What Studies have been What Studies have been donedone

Jet Fuel Exposure Syndrome (JFES) Study Jet Fuel Exposure Syndrome (JFES) Study - Apr 15- Apr 15

Report Molecular Investigations into Jet Report Molecular Investigations into Jet Fuel and Solvent Exposure in the Fuel and Solvent Exposure in the DeSeal/ReSeal Program - 2014DeSeal/ReSeal Program - 2014

BOI F-111 - 2011BOI F-111 - 2011 MATF Occupational Hygiene Exposure MATF Occupational Hygiene Exposure

Assessment Study – 2008Assessment Study – 2008 Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft

Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP) - 2004Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP) - 2004

JFES StudyJFES Study

Study focused on changes in cell biology in Study focused on changes in cell biology in former F-111 deseal/reseal workers onlyformer F-111 deseal/reseal workers only

Investigated toxicity of JP-8 fuel and solvents Investigated toxicity of JP-8 fuel and solvents through inhalation of vapour and absorption through inhalation of vapour and absorption through skinthrough skin

Developed method of studying exposure in Developed method of studying exposure in blood plasmablood plasma

Discovered that the compounds bonded to Discovered that the compounds bonded to blood lipids – meaning it easily travels around blood lipids – meaning it easily travels around the body, areas with a higher blood flow the body, areas with a higher blood flow possibly have higher exposurepossibly have higher exposure

JFES Study cont…JFES Study cont…

JFES Study cont…JFES Study cont…

Pregnancy and MATFPregnancy and MATF

Little known on the effects of chemical Little known on the effects of chemical exposure and unborn childrenexposure and unborn children

Policy is to protect women and unborn babiesPolicy is to protect women and unborn babies Health Directive No 235 - annex A, details , details

workplace restrictionsworkplace restrictions Defence WHS Technical Fact Sheet #28 Study of chemical exposure on female Study of chemical exposure on female

reproductive systemreproductive system Not enough women in Defence to conduct a Not enough women in Defence to conduct a

studystudy

Way Forward ???Way Forward ??? Don’t really have one…Don’t really have one… Defence Exposure Evaluation Scheme Defence Exposure Evaluation Scheme

(DEES) register 1800DEFENCE(DEES) register 1800DEFENCE Assess and enforce current exposure Assess and enforce current exposure

controlscontrols ACG in the process of standardising PPE ACG in the process of standardising PPE

across FEG – should go wideracross FEG – should go wider Monitor own healthMonitor own health Currently no Defence health monitoring Currently no Defence health monitoring

processprocess DDAAFS Fact Sheet 02/2015DDAAFS Fact Sheet 02/2015 Possible further studiesPossible further studies

What Should You doWhat Should You do

Register with DEESRegister with DEES Report a WHS Event on SentinelReport a WHS Event on Sentinel Contact Medical and arrange an Contact Medical and arrange an

exposure evaluationexposure evaluation Lodge a claim with DVA if you feel Lodge a claim with DVA if you feel

your health has been affected by your health has been affected by MATFMATF

Where to find info….Where to find info….

Where to find info cont…Where to find info cont…

Air Force Fuel Exposure - Fact Sheet 02/2015

Defence WHS Technical Fact Sheet #28 DVA - F111 Health Directive No 235 - annex A Safety Bulletin No 1-2006 Defence WHS - Toxicology of MATF Report on the Molecular Investigations int

o the Jet Fuel and Solvent Exposure in the DeSeal/ReSeal Program

Questions???Questions???