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globalnational.com
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
HALIFAX -- They put themselves on the front line during the Cold War -
- in the deep oceans that separated Canada from the threat of Soviet
expansion.
Thirty years later, Global National has uncovered a new report that
suggests Canadians who served aboard Oberon-class submarines continue
to face a serious threat to this day: Not from an enemy attack, but
from a terrifying list of potential diseases from working in a toxic
environment.
The report, commissioned by Australia's Department of Defence and
based on a focus group of retired Australian submariners who served
aboard the same British-built, diesel-powered submarines, identified
a long list of hazards associated with working onboard the boats,
including:
- Chemical poisoning from tar epoxies, hydrosulphites, asbestos, and
diesel exhaust fumes;
- Air contaminants including carbon monoxide, freon and acid fumes;
- Long exposure in an environment with depleted oxygen;
- Sleep deprivation and noise pollution.
The combination of the various hazards -- the same endured by
Canadian submariners -- has reportedly resulted in serious illnesses
and even fatal cases of cancer in Australia.
Armed with the report, the Royal Canadian Legion is demanding
Veterans Affairs Canada to examine the issue and establish
compensation for submariners who have since become disabled after
working long periods of time onboard Oberons.
"Admittedly, the work was tough, and hard, and you were away for
extended periods of time," said former Canadian submariner Jerry
Conway. "But, nobody anticipated or was aware the potential of these
things that are now occuring to us, such as cancer and deafness and
respiratory problems."
There is also new pressure on the Canadian Navy to examine the
environment onboard the Victoria-class submarine, Canada's modern-day
diesel-powered submarine -- also built by the British.
In all, Canada purchased three Oberon-class submarines in the late
1960s. A fourth was added to the fleet for training purposes, and a
fifth boat was bought and used for spare parts. The submarines were
retired in 2000.
© Global National 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
HALIFAX -- They put themselves on the front line during the Cold War -
- in the deep oceans that separated Canada from the threat of Soviet
expansion.
Thirty years later, Global National has uncovered a new report that
suggests Canadians who served aboard Oberon-class submarines continue
to face a serious threat to this day: Not from an enemy attack, but
from a terrifying list of potential diseases from working in a toxic
environment.
The report, commissioned by Australia's Department of Defence and
based on a focus group of retired Australian submariners who served
aboard the same British-built, diesel-powered submarines, identified
a long list of hazards associated with working onboard the boats,
including:
- Chemical poisoning from tar epoxies, hydrosulphites, asbestos, and
diesel exhaust fumes;
- Air contaminants including carbon monoxide, freon and acid fumes;
- Long exposure in an environment with depleted oxygen;
- Sleep deprivation and noise pollution.
The combination of the various hazards -- the same endured by
Canadian submariners -- has reportedly resulted in serious illnesses
and even fatal cases of cancer in Australia.
Armed with the report, the Royal Canadian Legion is demanding
Veterans Affairs Canada to examine the issue and establish
compensation for submariners who have since become disabled after
working long periods of time onboard Oberons.
"Admittedly, the work was tough, and hard, and you were away for
extended periods of time," said former Canadian submariner Jerry
Conway. "But, nobody anticipated or was aware the potential of these
things that are now occuring to us, such as cancer and deafness and
respiratory problems."
There is also new pressure on the Canadian Navy to examine the
environment onboard the Victoria-class submarine, Canada's modern-day
diesel-powered submarine -- also built by the British.
In all, Canada purchased three Oberon-class submarines in the late
1960s. A fourth was added to the fleet for training purposes, and a
fifth boat was bought and used for spare parts. The submarines were
retired in 2000.
© Global National 2007
