According to reports, 180 former and current armed forces aircrew who have cancer are seeking compensation from the Ministry of Defence because they claim that their diagnosis is due to exposure toxic fumes while in helicopters.
According the BBC a veterans group has called on the MoD take immediate action to protect the servicemen and women who are still in the military and to raise awareness among the former servicemen.
Hugh James, a law firm, told BBC that it received inquiries and claims from 180 aircrew members and veterans. The four aircraft were the Sea King (Westland Wessex), the Puma (Puma) and the CH-47 Chinook.
Sea King has been used by the British military between 1969 and 2018. It was flown in the past by King Charles as well as the Prince of Wales. The Westland Wessex and Puma were retired in 2003, but the CH-47 Chinook remains in service.
Some of the diseases contracted by crew members who fly helicopters include lung, throat, and testicular cancers, as well as some rare blood cancers.
The MoD has settled out of court with at least six individuals, including RAF Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings who died in January aged 47. However, the Ministry has not admitted any liability.
Stubbings, 33, was diagnosed with external multiple myeloma. This is an incurable blood cancer, which primarily affects people over 65. Later, he discovered that others who worked on military planes had received cancer diagnoses.
BBC reports that Louisa Donaghy, a solicitor at Hugh James, has submitted 50 claims so far in response to veterans and aircrews with cancer.
Donaghy is a senior associate at the military department of the firm in Cardiff. “I feel this is only the tip,” he said. There will be many people who don’t even know that they have cancer, and will also be diagnosed later.
Donaghy, who represents the people in the case, said that the MoD could have prevented the toxic fumes by providing additional PPE like filtration masks. These would have reduced the exposure levels.
In May, the Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG), which advises MoD, reviewed the evidence regarding a possible connection between exhaust emissions of Sea King helicopters and cancers such as multiple myeloma or leiomyosarcoma. concluded that there was not enough evidence external to establish a causal relationship.
The MoD said in a press release that it takes the safety of its personnel very seriously. It regularly reviews their processes to make sure they are doing everything possible to keep them safe.
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