Post by papacheese on May 29, 2008 10:21:00 GMT -5
This was taken from Firehouse.com:
VICTORIA - The B.C. government now recognizes testicular cancer as an occupational hazard for firefighters and will add lung cancer in non-smoking firefighters to the list, as well.
Labour Minister Olga Ilich says the toxic environments firefighters face in the line of duty put them at risk for life-threatening cancers.
Ilich says primary site testicular cancer and primary site lung cancer in non-smokers will be added to a list of types of cancer associated with long-term employment as a firefighter.
It means full-time, volunteer, part-time and paid on-call firefighters suffering from the diseases will qualify for worker's compensation and benefits, without having to prove individually that the diseases are linked to their jobs.
Brain, bladder and kidney cancer are already recognized as occupational hazards for firefighters in B.C., along with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ureter cancer, colorectal cancer and leukemia.
Al Leier of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association says the recognition means firefighters suffering from these diseases can concentrate on their health, instead of fighting for coverage.
An increasing number of jurisdictions are starting to acknowledge that the stuff we're exposed to can be pretty toxic....especially long term. "Presumptive cause" means that it will not be necessary to prove a firefighter contracted a specific form of cancer through firefighting IF they meet certain criteria (length and type of service)...which can make a HUGE difference in many other issues.
VICTORIA - The B.C. government now recognizes testicular cancer as an occupational hazard for firefighters and will add lung cancer in non-smoking firefighters to the list, as well.
Labour Minister Olga Ilich says the toxic environments firefighters face in the line of duty put them at risk for life-threatening cancers.
Ilich says primary site testicular cancer and primary site lung cancer in non-smokers will be added to a list of types of cancer associated with long-term employment as a firefighter.
It means full-time, volunteer, part-time and paid on-call firefighters suffering from the diseases will qualify for worker's compensation and benefits, without having to prove individually that the diseases are linked to their jobs.
Brain, bladder and kidney cancer are already recognized as occupational hazards for firefighters in B.C., along with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ureter cancer, colorectal cancer and leukemia.
Al Leier of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association says the recognition means firefighters suffering from these diseases can concentrate on their health, instead of fighting for coverage.
An increasing number of jurisdictions are starting to acknowledge that the stuff we're exposed to can be pretty toxic....especially long term. "Presumptive cause" means that it will not be necessary to prove a firefighter contracted a specific form of cancer through firefighting IF they meet certain criteria (length and type of service)...which can make a HUGE difference in many other issues.
