Exposure to aromatic amines

Malignant neoplasm of the bladder - Exposure to aromatic amines Factor

In the SOP for malignant neoplasm of the bladder, the RMA has defined being exposed to aromatic amines as "inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact" with an aromatic amine which is "an organic compound that contains one or more amino groups joined to an aromatic structure".

In reasonable hypothesis cases the exposure can be to any aromatic amine; whereas in balance of probability cases there is a specified list of aromatic amines. However the SOPs for both standards of proof require exposure for a cumulative period of at least 250 days.

Aromatic amines have a wide range of uses including the manufacture of textile and fur dyes, polyurethane products, and pesticides, and as a chemical agent in laboratory analysis.  However, chlornaphazine was used a treatment for haematological malignancies.

There are several trades or musterings in the Defence Forces which may have involved some exposure to aromatic amines.  Examples advised by the Department of Defence are:

Additional information about the nature and scope of specific military occupations may be found in Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations which also contains an embedded hotword military occupations with fumes and irritants component.

Information about the use of specified aromatic amines has been extracted from:

·   the 11th Report on Carcinogens(http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/16183)

·   the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry(http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html)

·   EPA Chemical Fact Sheets(http://www.ndcrt.org/data/EPA_Chemical_Fact_Sheet…)

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [30274]

11716 there is some evidence that exposure to aromatic amines may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

11781  the veteran has established the causal connection between the exposure to aromatic amines and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

11782   the veteran has established the causal connection between the exposure to aromatic amines and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

or

11783   the veteran has established the causal connection between the exposure to aromatic amines and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [11782]

11785 the veteran experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with an aromatic amine for a cumulative period of at least 250 days at some time.

11786 the veteran experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with an aromatic amine for a cumulative period of at least 250 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

11784 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran experiencing inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with an aromatic amine for a cumulative period of at least 250 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

CLINICAL ONSET AND ELIGIBLE SERVICE [11783]

11788 the veteran experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with one of the aromatic amines from the specified list for a cumulative period of at least 250 days at some time.

11790 the veteran experienced inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with one of the aromatic amines from the specified list for a cumulative period of at least 250 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

11787 eligible service made a material contribution to the veteran experiencing inhalation, ingestion or cutaneous contact with one of the aromatic amines from the specified list for a cumulative period of at least 250 days before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.