The government has launched an investigation to discover how many armed forces personnel have been diagnosed with cancer after allegations that the crew of some military helicopters have been exposed to toxic fumes. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already settled six cases out of court, while dozens of other air crew and families are reportedly suing. Some crew members and families assert officials knew about safety concerns related to certain aircraft designs back in 1999, and chose not to inform the crew or implement adequate safety measures.
Cases that have been reported include lung cancer, throat cancer, testicular cancer, and rare forms of blood cancer contracted by some of the air crew. The Times newspaper reported last year that at least three former crew members have died while others have received terminal cancer diagnoses. The government is understood to acknowledge that the design of some rotary wing aircraft increases the probability of exhaust fumes entering the cabin. These exhaust fumes released by aircraft containing benzene, a known human carcinogen, further raised health concerns.
The MoD is currently conducting tests on military helicopter exhaust emissions, which began in November. However, officials believe there is no health risk. The MoD has confirmed that the investigation covering personnel from the RAF, Army and Navy, veterans as well as those on active duty, began officially this year. They will determine the number of armed forces personnel who served as aircrew and were diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, one Westminster source believed that getting an initial estimate would take years due to complexities accessing veterans’ health records.
It is believed that more than 150 individuals have approached law firms to claim they have been affected, but many will be ineligible for compensation because the law allowing for claims against the MoD came into effect in 1987. The legal proceedings have named at least four types of aircraft, including Sea King, Westland Wessex, Puma and CH-47 Chinook planes. Law firm Hugh James, which represents many of the affected families, say that potential dangers surrounding the Sea King were made evident to the MoD in 1999, when the resulting report suggested improvements to the aircraft to divert exhaust fumes. However, the MoD did not take actions based on this report and did not bring it to the crew’s attention of the potential risks and cancer risks. The Sea King was operational from 1969 to 2018 and also piloted by King Charles and Prince Charles. Puma and CH-47 Chinook aircraft remain in use while the Westland Wessex was retired in 2003
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