Flyers Trainers Sue Comcast Over Cancer Diagnoses Stemming From Zamboni Chemicals

In a very significant story where lives have become at risk, two Philadelphia Flyers trainers have sued Comcast, among others after both parties have received similar medical diagnoses regarding cancer which could have resulted from being exposed to Zamboni chemicals at the team's practice facility. This according to CrossingBroad.com.

As per the report:

Jim McCrossin, 64, Flyers Director of Medical Services, who joined the team in 2000, and assistant athletic trainer Sal Raffa, 42, who joined the team in 2004, were both diagnosed with nearly identical and incurable blood diseases and/or cancer a few months apart in the Spring and Summer of 2021. McCrossin developed the rare medical conditions essential thrombocythemia, myeloproliferative neoplasm, and the blood cancer myelofibrosis, which is terminal.

Raffa developed thrombocythemia, which is incurable and is proliferative for other blood diseases such as cancer, or inducing strokes. After exhaustive research, the pair allege the contraction of these diseases was the result of excessive exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens that are emitted from Zambonis, used to cut and clean the ice surface at the Flyers practice facility, and the result of the training room, where they have worked for the past two decades, butting up against the Zamboni room where these carcinogenic chemicals were potentially ingested extensively due to inappropriate ventilation or through a shared drainage system.

The Flyers organization has released a statement on the matter according to Crossing Broad which included the following message:

The safety of our employees and guests at the Flyers Training Center and all of our facilities is always a top priority for us. We have looked into the allegations made by Jim McCrossin and Sal Raffa over the course of several months, and, based on that, believe that their claims have no merit. Beyond that, we cannot comment further given that this matter is in litigation.

The complaint included how the Zamboni machines were left running in the training center and how the fuel contained carcinogens. There's been a lot of talk about the appropriate ventilation system not being in place and how the equipment was faulty. Let's hope everything gets worked out appropriately and both trainers - we wish them nothing but health and happiness.

Photo credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports