Alcan smelters caused ex-workers' lung cancer

Commission ruling could result in $100,000 per family

A Quebec commission has ruled that 10 former Alcan employees developed cancer as a result of their work in smelters and as such their families deserve to be compensated.

The employees were hired between 1943 and 1970 to work in the aluminium company's smelters in Jonquiere and Alma, Que., about 250 kilometres north of Quebec City. The Quebec workplace accident commission found the workers were exposed to various carcinogens during their 20-year careers, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Doctors testified that exposure to the PAHs at work was most likely responsible for the workers' lung cancer.

A previous ruling from another safety commission ruled, because all 10 workers were smokers, nicotine addiction had caused their cancer.

The ruling means the families of the former workers will be able to apply for compensation under Quebec's laws. While each case is different, each family could be entitled to more than $100,000, according to a Quebec workplace safety commission spokesperson.

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