WA:Expert panel to look into claims of refinery workers' cancers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2004
WA:Expert panel to look into claims of refinery workers' cancers

By Trevor Robb

PERTH, April 29 AAP - A panel of medical experts will be convened within weeks to determine
if a full investigation into cancers suffered by workers at a West Australian alumina
refinery is needed.

The move follows a report by occupational physician Andrew Harper who found clusters
of unusual cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma among 32 men who had worked in at Alcoa's
Kwinana refinery.

The refinery's so-called K58 section is close to the refinery's liquor burner and some
workers say their exposure to chemicals has caused illnesses including heart problems,
chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivity and depression.

The WA Health Department said today the panel would include both doctors and experts
in epidemiology, who would take a more detailed look at whether the cancers and other
ailments were more prevalent among Alcoa workers than the general population.

"We have noted Dr Harper's recommendations and we have considered that this needs to
be further investigated by a group of medical experts," said Michael Jackson, the health
department's executive director of population health.

"The issue for us is whether there is an increase in the number of particular cancers
over and above what we would find in the normal population.

"We're looking at all sorts of cancers, whether they are a lung cancer, prostate cancer,
brain cancer or leukaemias which may give us an indication of whether there's some chemical
exposure."

Mr Jackson said Dr Harper's study had only analysed data supplied by Anna Breed, the
widow of former K58 worker John Breed, and while it had made significant findings, it
was statistically limited.

It was too early to say how long it would take for the panel to make its recommendations,
he said.

The latest study was funded by the WA Cancer Foundation and the findings also given
to the Alumina Widow Workers Action Group.

It followed a previous study conducted by independent researchers Healthwise and funded
by Alcoa, released in 2002, which found cancer rates among the workers were no higher
than in the general population.

Mr Jackson said the Healthwise study was ongoing and new data from it reflecting recent
trends would be available next month, giving a more up to date picture.

Guilio Cassello, manager of the Kwinana refinery about 40km south of Perth, welcomed
the Health Department's move.

"Dr Harper's report has raised some questions. I think it's best the Health Department
does create a panel and have a look at it," Mr Cassello told ABC radio.

AAP tgr/tc/hu/tnf

KEYWORD: ALCOA NIGHTLEAD

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