WCB: No Proof Carpet Chemicals Caused Employee’s Symptoms

An employee sensitive to scents claimed that chemicals used to treat the carpet in her workplace caused her to suffer heart palpitations, headaches, dizziness and nausea. After returning from a 3-week vacation, she inhaled the scents and suffered the same symptoms. Workers’ comp denied her claim, explaining that the MSDSs for the chemicals used on the carpet didn’t equate with the symptoms she had. Moreover, the timing and lack of medical evidence as to the cause of her symptoms didn’t support the conclusion that her injury was work-related [WCAT #2011-431-AD, [2012] CanLII 5003 (NS WCAT), Feb. 7, 2012].