By Rick Pusiak
Inco Ltd. is trying to determine the cause of the tragic and puzzling death of one of its employees.
Brian Laughlin, 50, an employee at the Copper Cliff nickel refinery for 28 years and a father of two, died of apparent lung failure March 25.
The actual cause of death has not been determined, but Inco officials called a news conference Wednesday to head off rumours that have been swirling around.
?When anyone as young as 50 suddenly passes away, it raises questions,? said Dale Krueger, general manager of Canadian refinery operations.
?Because of Brian?s age, the nature of his work at the nickel refinery and the nature of his death, questions were raised that perhaps he had been exposed to nickel carbonyl, which is a gaseous intermediate in our refining process.?
Krueger said Laughlin experienced pneumonia like symptoms consistent with the symptoms of carbonyl exposure.
What is confusing is that there is no evidence of any exposure having taken place.
Inco contacted coroner Dr. John Maki to launch a forensic investigation into the cause of death.
?Although the coroner has yet to determine a cause of death, the potential linkage of carbonyl exposure is the subject of our current investigation,? said Krueger.
?Throughout this process we have communicated with our employees in the nickel refinery, the union, the Ministry of Labour, and most importantly with Mr. Laughlin?s family. Understandably this has raised anxiety levels, questions are beginning to be asked in the community.?
There is an elaborate system of gas monitors within the refinery off Fielding Road and surrounding the plant perimeter to protect the public, but none of the monitors showed any sort of event.
?A fellow with 28 years service, his knowledge of the process and his knowledge of the safety procedures was exemplary,? said the manager.
?That?s what?s so puzzling... how could someone with that degree of expertise be exposed and not know it??
