By Rob Nay
Winnepeg Sun
November 3, 2008

A man who suffered severe lead poisoning on the job is devastated to learn the Workers' Compensation Board of Manitoba will no longer pay for his medication.

"I have no idea what to do," said Randall Janzen, 43.

When he was a teenager in the 1980s, Janzen worked as a crane operator at a foundry in Winkler. His job was to put scrap metal into a furnace to be melted down.

NO PROTECTION
He was unaware of the health hazards until a co-worker became sick and sought help from doctors, who diagnosed lead poisoning.

In total, seven men -- including Janzen -- were diagnosed with lead poisoning.

"We were breathing in lead fumes," he said. "We had no protection."

Janzen was hospitalized in Winnipeg and treated. In the years that followed, he experienced health problems including intense headaches, memory loss and depression.

"The headaches started getting worse and worse and my temper started getting uncontrollable," he said.

In 2001, Janzen was hospitalized again. Medical staff pointed towards the lingering effects of lead poisoning.

He went on compensation, receiving a settlement and support. The costs of anti-depressant medication that helped him cope were also covered.

Recently, Janzen went to his pharmacy for a refill and was told the WCB was no longer covering his medication.

He called its office and was told the WCB was no longer paying for the pills, saying Janzen's depression "wasn't related to the lead poisoning."

In 2003, a medical assessment of Janzen said memory loss and other effects of the poisoning might be spurring his depression.

"It is possible that the depression is indirectly linked to the lead poisoning," said the report.

Janzen said the link is clear.

"When you're constantly in pain, you're not going to be too happy," he said.

Janzen said the cost of his anti-depressant medication is relatively low, at about $40 per month, but he's still upset.

"The price isn't the issue here. They're trying to sweep me under the rug," he said.

Janzen was told he could appeal the board's decision but he said he feels ill-equipped to do so and he can't afford a lawyer.

When contacted by the Winnipeg Sun, a WCB employee said he couldn't comment.

"We cannot talk about cases ... this is all personal health information," said spokesman Warren Preece.

Janzen said people in Winkler have told him he's the only man still alive of the seven poisoned with lead at the foundry. Now he's worried about what will happen to him.

"My condition is permanent and progressive, meaning it will get worse in my life," said Janzen. "The day will come when I won't know who I am."