Exposure to arsenic as specified

Malignant neoplasm of the bladder - Exposure to arsenic as specified Factor

RMA definition

The SOP requirements for arsenic exposure have different amounts for reasonable hypothesis cases and balance of probability cases.

The RMA has defined this exposure as meaning:

(a)        consuming drinking water with arsenic content higher than [0.05 ppm (50 µg/l) for RH cases] or [0.10 ppm (100 µg/l) for BOP cases] for a cumulative period of at least ten years; or

(b)        having clinical evidence of excessive chronic arsenic exposure.

A veteran or member would not have consumed drinking water with an arsenic content higher than 50 µg/l during service in Australia.  This is because in major Australian reticulated water supplies, concentrations of arsenic should not exceed 7 µg/l.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element which can be introduced into water through the dissolution of minerals and ores, or from industrial effluent, atmospheric deposition, drainage from old gold mines, or the use of some types of sheep dip.  Arsenic is also used in many pesticides.

If excessive arsenic exposure is suspected, blood and urine tests would be conducted as well as an ECG, and sensory conduction tests particularly in the lower limbs.  Some investigation would be done to determine the source of arsenic poisoning in order to prevent on-going exposure.

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [39114]

12957 there is some evidence that exposure to arsenic as specified may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

39523 the veteran has been exposed to arsenic as specified in the Statements of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the bladder at some time.

39170  the veteran has established the causal connection between the exposure to arsenic as specified and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

39171   the veteran has established the causal connection between the exposure to arsenic as specified and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

or

39172   the veteran has established the causal connection between the exposure to arsenic as specified and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [39171]

31444 the veteran was exposed to arsenic as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration at some time.

39173 the veteran was exposed to arsenic as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39174 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's exposure to arsenic as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39175 the veteran's exposure to arsenic as specified in the reasonable hypothesis Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration, to which operational service made a material contribution before the clinical onset, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [39172]

31445 the veteran was exposed to arsenic as specified in the balance of probabilities Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration at some time.

39176 the veteran was exposed to arsenic as specified in the balance of probabilities Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39177 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran's exposure to arsenic as specified in the balance of probabilities Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39178 the veteran's exposure to arsenic as specified in the balance of probabilities Statement of Principles for the condition under consideration, to which eligible service made a material contribution before the clinical onset, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.