Exposure to a specified organic solvent

Erectile dysfunction - Exposure to a specified organic solvent Factor

RMA definition

A specified organic solvent for the purposes of this SoP means:

1. Aromatic hydrocarbon solvents; or
2. Ketones; or
3. Acetates; or
4. Carbon disulphide.

General information

Aromatic hydrocarbon solvents: including benzene; toluene; and xylene. Examples: white spirit and mineral turpentine.

Ketones: including acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK); methyl isobutyl ketone; and methyl n-butyl ketone (MBK). Example: acetone (nail polish remover);

Acetates: including ethyl acetate; methyl formate; and amyl acetate. Example: ethyl acetate (nail polish remover);

Carbon disulphide is highly flammable and toxic.  Full personal protection equipment is required when using this product.

Important uses of these organic solvents (usually in combination with other solvents) include:

• Cleaning agents to remove oils and grease;
• Dry cleaning;
• Constituents of paints, varnishes, thinners, waxes, adhesives, motor fuels;
• Manufacture of artificial rubber, leather, plastics, textiles and explosives;
• Pharmaceutical, pesticide and fumigant formulations.

In some occupational groups within the Australian Defence Forces, there is significant exposure to organic solvents. The largest group of these is aircraft workers who use solvent mixtures such as benzene to clean the jet engines of aircraft.

However, the use of organic solvents is widespread and it is not possible to give an exhaustive list either of the organic solvents themselves, or the type of work that would involve exposure. You may need to take the time to read the information provided below. For example service personnel working with paints (including paint strippers and paint thinners), enamels, varnishes, shellacs and lacquers; fumigants and pesticides; adhesives; resins; printing inks; rubber solvents; or electrical cables, may all have been exposed to these organic solvents – it may depend on the nature of the work or the types of chemicals used.

• Types of organic solvents
• How to identify an organic solvent
• Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations

Last reviewed for CCPS 5 October 2005.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [35349]

35350 there is some evidence that exposure to a specified organic solvent may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

35351 the veteran has experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent at some time.

35352  the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to a specified organic solvent and operational service for erectile dysfunction.

35353   the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to a specified organic solvent and operational service for the clinical onset of erectile dysfunction.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

35354   the veteran has established the causal connection between exposure to a specified organic solvent and operational service for the clinical worsening of erectile dysfunction.

Clinical onset and operational service [35353]

35355 the veteran experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

35357 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

35359 the veteran's inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, to which operational service made a material contribution, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical worsening and operational service [35354]

35356 the veteran experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

35361 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to the veteran experiencing inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

35358 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

35360 the veteran's inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with a specified organic solvent on more days than not for a cumulative period of at least 180 days within the two years immediately before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, to which operational service made a material contribution, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.