- Exposure (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
- Exposure (radiation)
- Presumptions (firefighter)
- Cancer (melanoma) (eye)
The worker was employed as a full-time firefighter for thirty years, from 1958 to 1988, when he retired. He became a lieutenant in 1978 and a captain in 1982. On June 12, 2014, he was diagnosed with a large choroidal melanoma in the left eye. On November 1, 2014, the worker died from metastatic melanoma. The sole issue under appeal was the entitlement of the worker's estate for ocular melanoma as a result of workplace exposures in the worker's employment as a firefighter.
The Vice-Chair allowed the appeal.The worker was exposed to various carcinogens during firefighting, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), combustion products, ultraviolet radiation, and diesel fumes, without adequate respiratory or eye protection, especially in early years. He suffered a severe flash injury to the eyes in 1974-1975 and frequently had red, irritated eyes after fires. Outside work, he had a 30 pack-year smoking history, consumed alcohol regularly, and had blue eyes, which is a known risk factor for ocular melanoma.Studies indicate associations between uveal melanoma and occupations involving exposure to combustion products and electromagnetic radiation, notably welding and cooking. Welding-related ultraviolet exposure and eye burns have been linked to increased risk. The role of sunlight is less clear but may be a weaker risk factor. There is no direct epidemiological study linking firefighting to ocular melanoma, likely due to the rarity of both the cancer and the profession.The Vice-Chair accepted that the worker's 30 years of firefighting involved significant exposure to carcinogens known to be associated with uveal melanoma in other occupations. The worker's flash eye injury and frequent eye irritation supported exposure to ultraviolet radiation and combustion products. The worker's light eye color was a non-occupational risk factor but was not found to outweigh occupational exposures. The latency period between exposure and diagnosis was consistent with cancer development timelines.The Vice-Chair allowed the appeal, finding on a balance of probabilities that the worker's workplace exposures as a firefighter significantly contributed to the development of the diagnosed choroidal melanoma. The worker's estate was entitled to benefits as a disablement arising out of and in the course of employment (as ocular melanoma is not subject to the presumption of entitlement in section 15.1). The case was remitted to the WSIB for further adjudication on benefits.