Mater Medical Research Institute researchers affiliated with 疯马秀视频 will lead the first study into the health implications of working with aviation fuels and F-111 deseal/reseal agents.
The study will be led by Metabolic Disease Consultant, Professor Frank Bowling, Director of Biochemical Diseases at the Mater Children鈥檚 Hospital and Professor of Medical Biochemistry at 疯马秀视频.
The multi-million dollar study was launched by Minister for Veterans鈥� Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, at UQ鈥檚 Centre for Military and Veteran鈥檚 Health which will co-ordinate the project.
The Jet Fuel Exposure Syndrome Study is in response to a parliamentary inquiry鈥檚 report into F-111 workers and their families.
鈥淚 take very seriously the need to ensure the ongoing health of the men and women of the Australian Defence Force,鈥� Mr Snowdon said.
鈥淒efence is undertaking world first, ground breaking research into the F-111 Deseal/Reseal exposure to look at possible DNA changes in these workers and what may be causing these changes.
鈥淲e hope this research will help us understand why some Defence personnel became very ill after working with jet fuels and solvents on the F-111 programs and possibly help us to prevent it ever happening again,鈥� Mr Snowdon said.
The Study is a collaborative project between the Defence Centre for Occupational Health and Mater Medical Research Institute and will focus on the relationship between exposure to jet fuels and solvents in the F-111 Deseal/Reseal programs and mitochondrial genetic changes.
Defence is seeking a range of volunteers for the Study:
鈥� Current or past members of the Air Force who participated in one of the recognised F-111 Deseal/Reseal programs, including 鈥淧ick and Patch鈥�;
鈥� Current or previous members of the Air Force who were NOT involved in the F-111 Deseal/ Reseal programs and have NOT had direct exposure to F-111 jet fuel; and
鈥� First degree relatives (parent, sibling, child) of someone who participated in one of the F-111 Deseal/Reseal programs.
鈥淚 would strongly encourage interested individuals to come forward and volunteer for this project.鈥�
Persons who fit one of these groups and are interested in participating in the Study are invited to contact the Defence Centre for Occupational Health on tel: (02) 6127 2080 or email JFES.Study@defence.gov.au to register their interest.
Editor鈥檚 note: Pictures of aircraft are available for media:
Media contacts:
Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
