Exposure to an industrial coke oven

Malignant neoplasm of the lung - Exposure to an industrial coke oven Factor

Coke is the solid residue which remains when coal is heated to a high temperature out of contact with air until practically all the volatile material has been driven off.  It is made either as a principle product for use in the manufacture of iron and steel at coke oven plants, or obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of coal gas.  In both these industries, by-products in the form of ammonia, tar, benzene and other light oils are recovered.  In the process of coking coal more than 90% of the benzene formed is found in the gas which is produced and less than 10% in the tar.  Coke ovens are the most important source of benzene.

Last reviewed for CCPS 18 July 2007.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [3784]

5989     there is some evidence that exposure to an industrial coke oven may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

5977     the veteran has been within 100 metres of an industrial coke oven for a cumulative period of at least 4500 hours at some time.

3789     the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to an industrial coke oven and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

3790     the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to an industrial coke oven and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

or

5971     the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to an industrial coke oven and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.

Clinical onset and operational service [3790]

5978     the veteran was within 100 metres of an industrial coke oven for a cumulative period of at least 4500 hours at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

5979     operational service made a material contribution to the veteran being within 100 metres of an industrial coke oven for a cumulative period of at least 4500 hours at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and eligible service [5971]

36250 the veteran was within 100 metres of an industrial coke oven for a cumulative period of at least 4500 hours at least ten years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

5980     eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran being within 100 metres of an industrial coke oven for a cumulative period of at least 4500 hours at least ten years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.