Malignant neoplasm of the lung - Inhaling mustard gas Factor
Mustard gas was first used by the Germans at Ypres on 12.7.1917. Although chlorine gas, lachrymatory (tear) gas and phosgene (in conjunction with chlorine) were used from 1915, a veteran could only have been exposed to mustard gas after 11.7.1917.
Australian defence personnel were exposed to mustard gas during World War 2 in two circumstances. The first form of exposure, gas training, was by far the most common, and the majority of Australian defence personnel received this training. Usually, trainees were assembled in a tent and were exposed to an agent that they were told was mustard gas. They were instructed to don gas masks, breathe through the mask and leave the tent. The training varied between establishments. Most armed forces had this training, or similar, during World War Two. In actual fact, due to the unavailability of mustard gas in some parts of Australia, substitutes such as tear gas was sometimes used, although the trainees were usually still told that the agent was mustard gas. Personnel involved in the transportation and storage of mustard gas were also at risk of exposure.
The second form of exposure was far more serious. It involved the deliberate exposure of a group of volunteers in Northern Queensland in a series of experiments to determine the effectiveness of mustard gas in tropical environments. Whilst the majority of volunteers suffered little ill effect as a result of the experiments, the effects on others were more serious. The severity of these effects indicates there was a significant exposure to mustard gas.
Each State has a list of those veterans who were associated with the experiments at Brook Island, Innisfail and Proserpine. (Lists are generally held in the Review area). The listing of a name is not conclusive evidence that the veteran actually took part in a trial. Nor does failure to appear on the list mean conclusively that the veteran did not participate in a trial. If there is alleged involvement in a trial and the veteran's name does not appear on the list, confirmation of involvement in a trial should be requested from the Director of Public Information, Department of Defence in accordance with Departmental Instruction B42/87 of 11.12.1987.
Note: This Departmental Instruction contains instructions which are out of date. To request information from the Department of Defence a request should be made to the SAM team via DocTracker.
Last reviewed for CCPS 18 July 2007.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title | PDF Format | Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimant Report | Exposure to Mustard Gas |
Preliminary questions [3779]
31700 there is some evidence that inhaling mustard gas may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.
31701 the veteran has inhaled mustard gas at some time.
3781 the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling mustard gas and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.
3782 the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling mustard gas and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.
or
3783 the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling mustard gas and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the lung.
Clinical onset and operational service [3782]
4864 the veteran inhaled mustard gas at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
4865 on operational service, the veteran inhaled mustard gas at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
36254 the inhalation of mustard gas on operational service at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.
Clinical onset and eligible service [3783]
36253 the veteran inhaled mustard gas at least ten years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
4868 on eligible service, the veteran inhaled mustard gas at least ten years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
4869 on eligible service, in the course of eligible service duties, the veteran inhaled mustard gas at least ten years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
36255 the inhalation of mustard gas on eligible service at least ten years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.