A group of researchers in Peterborough is one step closer to proving toxic chemicals at General Electric plant in Peterborough caused a cluster of cancer cases in the community. A 173-page report set to be released to the public today is meant to back up claims made to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board that were denied. Hundred’s of workers have come forward claiming their illnesses including cancer were caused by the thousands of chemicals they were exposed to while working at the plant. The group which included the Occupational and Environmental Health Coalition and Unifor the Union, Â went back as far as 1945 to map the plant and document the chemicals used in each department. Â Officials at General Electric say the plant always met with industry standards at the time.
February 9th, 2017 marked the 22nd anniversary of Ron Lebeau’s death. 22 years his family has been without him, 22 years they’ve been waiting for compensation from The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
Ron is one of a cluster of cancer cases found in employees of the General Electric Plant in Peterborough. WSIB says since 2004 there have been 662 claims registered for past and present employees of GE in Peterborough for a variety of occupational illnesses and health conditions. Of these, 255 claims were filed specifically for cancer. 71 claims have been allowed for cancer, 61 abandoned , 4 are pending decisions and 119 denied. Ron’s is one of them. He worked in one of the most toxic areas of the plant. The Armature Building.
A group of advocates including employees with cancer, family members of the deceased, the union and the Occupational and Environmental Health Coalition are fighting to get the evidence needed to prove exposure to toxic chemicals cause cancer and get justice for loved ones lost.
Here’s Ron’s story:
