Oberon Class Submarine Occupational Hygiene Project Final Report

• Consideration be given to the conduct of a health study of the submarinerpopulation to address ex-Oberon submariner concerns and attempt to identifyany adverse health outcomes associated with documented exposures. Specificareas of research could include a cancer incidence and mortality study andneurobehavioural testing, using a suite of sensitive indicators of neurologicaldamage. The Defence Deployment Health Surveillance Program is a potentialconduit for such a study.• The Collins Class submarine was not the focus of this study and has not beenspecifically considered, however, the literature review did reveal that similarhazards may exist on the Collins Class submarines. Systematic occupationalhygiene studies, including biological monitoring of hydrocarbon uptake, couldbe carried out in Collins Class submarines. A gap analysis of what relevantwork has already been undertaken and what could be done to expand currentknowledge should be undertaken.8