- Coronary artery disease
- Exposure (asbestos)
- Exposure (carbon monoxide)
- Exposure (lead)
- Seizures
- Exposure (polyvinyl chloride)
- Cirrhosis
The worker's estate appealed an ARO decision, which concluded that the worker's coronary heart disease, seizures and cirrhosis of the liver were not causally related to his employment. From 1956 until 1966, the worker was employed in a surface mill at a nickel ore mining company. From 1966 until 1995, the worker was employed at a manufacturing facility.
The Vice-Chair allowed the appeal, in part.The evidence supported a determination that there was a causal link between occupational exposures to asbestos and the development of coronary heart disease.It was submitted that the worker had occupational exposure to lead, a known neurotoxic substance, which a website listed as having "strong evidence" for seizures. However, upon accessing the information provided, it was seen to be significantly out of date. In the absence of further evidence, the Vice-Chair placed weight on Dr. Somerville's opinion that there is no connection, on a balance of probabilities, between the worker's work-related exposures and his seizures. The Lal Report, contains references to a relationship between exposure to vinyl chloride and liver damage, including cirrhosis. The Vice-Chair found, however, that the worker had a very limited exposure to vinyl chloride as a result of his employment working in tubing. This exposure was of a relatively short duration and was not comparable to the exposure of workers involved in the process of operating the PVC mixer. The evidence did not support a finding, on the balance of probabilities, that the cirrhosis of the liver was related to occupational exposures.