TTE Toxin & veterans

Abalinx 16 January 2018. Peter Adamis

REQUEST FOR SUPPORT – PRIVATE RESEARCH.      Back in 1972, a group of us from the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment located in Townsville, Far North Queensland were seconded for a number of undisclosed weeks to Tropical Trials Establishment (TTE) near Innisfail.  At the time, TTE was an alleged secret establishment designed to undertake trials on behalf of the Australian Defence Force. A copy of the article may be downloaded by clicking on: TOXINS, VETERANS AND TROPICAL TRIALS ESTABLISHMENT FNQLD

Now after some 46 years, I find that there is some evidence that chemical warfare was conducted on site. I at the time thought we were sent there to guard items of interest buried deep in the soil. The area we were guarding was surrounded by barbed wire and literally fenced off. Our job was to walk around this compound with our SLR’s. (Self-loading rifles) and bayonets fixed. We never questioned why as we were just young diggers doing a job and any chance of adventure was eagerly jumped upon. To date, I can only remember the name of one other mate that was with me at the time.

I write this to see whether other Australian veterans had also been posted to TTE and to explore the reasons for their posting. I would also like to know whether the jungle in which we patrolled had been subjected to chemical agents and other toxins. Given my academic studies in Environmental, Occupational, Health and Safety at University, I am conducting a personal survey into what toxins veterans were subjected to in Australia.

For example, if like myself you were Infantry then at one stage or more you were exposed to the following between 1969 to 2001:

1. Paludrine;
2. Boot polish;
3. Water purifying tablets;
4. Brasso;
5. Anti-Mite;
6. Gun cleaning fluid;
7. Cleaning products;
8. Range fuel;
9. Petrol products;
10. Chalk products;
11. Coal products;
12. Asbestos materials;
13. Smoke (cigarettes including);
14. Gas;
15. Aircraft fuel;
16. Diesel fumes;

17, Cigarette lighter fuel; and
18. Arsenic (sand bags were coated with arsenic).

I would appreciate if others can contribute to this list in order that their chemical properties can be checked against the Exposure Data Base.  Toxins, Dates, duration, job at the time and location will be most helpful. Name is helpful but optional.  This is a personal request; to add more value to those who have suffered needlessly without knowing the reasons why.

CONTACT:  My details are:

Peter Adamis
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0481342791

Please title your responses with:

VETERANS TOXINS RESEARCH

Definition of Veteran: As far as I am concerned, for this research, anyone who has served in uniform for this nation is a veteran.

Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Social Media Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum.  He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News.  He holds a Bachelor   of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Website: abalinx.com Contact via Email: [email protected] or via Mobile: 0481 342 791

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.