Northern Ont. union worried members were exposed to cell-destroying substances
A union in Sudbury is notifying around 900 members that some of them might have been exposed to cytotoxins -- a cell-destroying substance -- while on the job.
Cytotoxins are used in treatments such as chemotheraphy to attack cancer cells. But they can also present a danger to anyone who is exposed.
In Sudbury, Tara Fennell, a personal support worker, was taking care of a resident when she learned he was cytotoxic.
"I had no idea what it was so when I went home and researched it, I learned that he was on chemotherapy meds," said Fennell. "And there was a whole host of education, policies, procedures, PPE, waste management that weren't in place."
Exposure can lead to a host of issues and negative health effects. It's particularly dangerous for pregnant women. Fennell said anyone taking cytotoxins excretes them in their bodily fluids for a period of time.
"(The fluids are) just as toxic as the medication, so everyone handling that should be in chemotherapy gloves, double chemotherapy gloves, chemotherapy gowns, splash masks, booties, like the medication when it's being prepared should be in hooded vents," said Fennell.
She's now working to help contact the 900 other members to see if any of them were exposed. The union is also working to help them fill out WSIB claims.
Eric Boulay, president of Mine Mill Unifor Local 598, said numerous workers could have been exposed to the toxins in the last couple of decades.
Hospitals and the cancer centre have proper protocols to dispose of the cytotoxic waste, but the union said long-term care facilities and nursing homes have been granted exemptions.
"About 1,000 members currently active in our local that could have potentially been exposed to substances, but most of these facilities have been around for 20 years," said Boulay.
A lot of the waste they're dealing with, as a result, is now ending up in the landfill.
Fennell, who was also exposed, said there needs to be more protocols in place.
"More money for PPE, you have to provide education," she said.
"It's what they've been cited for because there is no education at these facilities, so they need an education program, policies and procedures and a higher calibre of PPE."
Boulay said the union would help any member worried they were exposed file a claim.
"And then if anyone is feeling any symptoms, we'll 100 per cent help them fill out a claim for the symptoms they're suffering and follow through all the way to get these claims accepted by WSIB as a recognized hazard," he said.
Two provinces have laws in the books, to inform workers and employees about the dangers of cytotoxins. The union is hoping Ontario will be the next.
It's hoping to reach out to the new minister of health after the provincial election.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit the federal carbon price on natural gas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer still haunted by death of Toronto police officer
“It's just so hard to let it go. I mean, everyone is telling me, ‘you have to move on,’ but I know someone is not here [anymore]. So I don't know how I will move on." That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.