My Beautiful Death

A Memoir by Gillian Genser

Ms. Genser memoir was published in the current, December 2018 issue, of Toronto Life. She is a distinguished artist using mussel shells as the medium of her art since 1991. Her exploration into her occupational illness which has lasted over decades was finally discovered from its ‘natural’ source, primarily sea shells.

I remind our learners in safety training that ‘natural’ shouldn’t always be interpreted as ‘safe’ as Ms. Genser once believed. I instantly think of lead, mercury, silica all of which are on the designated substance list which bears its own special regulation, O. Reg. 490/09: Designated Substances under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Ms. Genser describes her suffering to include physical ailments such as headaches, nausea, stiffness, numbness, achiness, cramping, weakness, temporary hearing difficulties, and pain. Mental impairment included lack of concentration, slurring of speech, spatial disorientation, erratic behaviour, depression and withdrawal, and anger, all of which concerned and frightened her loved ones.

After visits to neurologists, rheumatologists, endocrinologists and even a psychiatrist, she learned from a professional colleague about the accumulation of toxins in the shells she was working with to create her art. The shells contain high concentrations of toxins from industrial waste. She was diagnosed with heavy-metal poisoning and will never fully recover from her exposure. Heavy metals have an affinity for the tissues of the nervous system and particularly the brain. She is at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s in the future. She is only 59 years old and has already suffered for years.

I immediately think of other occupations with the potential for heavy metal poisoning such as dental professionals (mercury, lead, almagam), welders, construction trades, workers in smelters and many others. We cannot assume that the materials we are working with are safe and have to take the necessary precautions to control our exposure. Treat natural materials as any other and prepare a risk assessment to protect workers.

For the complete memoir and to read “My Beautiful Death” for a first hand perspective on the risks of handling ‘natural’ materials that may still be toxic and dangerous to your health, go to: https://torontolife.com/city/life/my-beautiful-death/

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