By Rosalind Russell – Janice Martel, formerly of Massey but now living in Sudbury, who led the campaign to have McIntyre Powder, which was used in the mines, recognized as a contributing factor to long-term health conditions, is starting up another registry looking into yet another disease.
Martel says of the 716 people on her McIntyre registry, more than a dozen miners have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis and says the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has rejected their claims.
She says the WSIB report states there is no workplace link to sarcoidosis, it was an internal report in 2022 and published publicly in 2024.
Martel says she is the launching the Sarcoidosis Voluntary Registry so workers can get a better understanding if their exposures in the workplace caused the condition.
She adds is open to anyone who worked in Ontario and has a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. (There is no requirement that they were exposed to silica, although that is an exposure of concern), be it in the mines, construction or manufacturing industries.
Martel explained what the disease is – Sarcoidosis is a condition that causes tiny collections of immune system cells in any part of the body.
These tiny collections form red, swollen lumps called granulomas.
Granulomas most commonly occur in the lungs and the lymph nodes of the chest.
They also can occur in the eyes, skin, heart and other organs.
Experts don’t know the exact cause of sarcoidosis, but it’s likely a mix of genetic and environmental factors.
You can call Martel at her dedicated phone line at 1-705-822-3171.
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