Mesothelioma Rates High Among Minnesota Iron Range Workers

Mesothelioma News

Six More Minnesota Iron Range Miners Have Mesothelioma

ST. PAUL, MN — June 29, 2007 — Six more cases of the asbestos–related cancer, mesothelioma, have been identified among workers employed in Minnesota’s iron mining industry (Press Release, June 20, 2007). The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) made the discovery while reviewing data from the state cancer registry in preparation for a proposed mesothelioma study.

Since the creation of the cancer registry in 1988, the number of mesothelioma victims the MDH found among a group of 72,000 iron mine workers has reached 58. Sadly, the agency expects to uncover more Minnesota mesothelioma cases as its work progresses.

Delays in Releasing Minnesota Mesothelioma Statistics

In March 2006, the MDH found out that 35 of the 58 workers had mesothelioma, but it did not release these statistics for a full year. The Minnesota United Steelworkers and eight lawmakers are urging the state legislature and the Attorney General to begin a criminal investigation into the delay. “It is unconscionable, unethical and probably criminal for a public agency to withhold information about a potential health risk to workers,” commented Bob Bratulich, Director of District No. 11 of the United Steelworkers, which represents many miners in the Iron Range. (Post Bulletin, June 19, 2007).

The eight legislators also called for the resignation of state Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach, but Governor Tim Pawlenty claimed that her actions, although “disappointing,” were not cause for termination (Minnesota Monitor, June 23, 2007). Ms. Mandernach has since apologized, but remains on the job.

Taconite, Asbestos and Mesothelioma in the Iron Range

The Iron Range is a region in the northeastern part of Minnesota that is rich in taconite, a hard rock containing iron and silica used to make iron ore pellets that are melted down into steel. Iron Range workers may have been exposed to asbestos at various construction and labor jobs in and around the taconite mines. Taconite dust may also be contaminated with asbestos.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. One hundred and forty–five men in the northeastern part of Minnesota have developed mesothelioma since 1988, including the 58 iron miners. This total is more than twice the number expected compared to the rate in the general population. According to MDH reports, some of the mesothelioma cases could be due to jobs in an asbestos ceiling tile factory and other cases are connected with the mines.

The proposed MDH study would detail past exposures to taconite dust as well as to commercial asbestos. It would compare workers who developed mesothelioma with those who did not in order to determine the tasks that placed the cancer victims at risk.

Your Mesothelioma Case

Brayton Purcell is concerned about the health effects of occupational asbestos exposure. If you have been exposed to asbestos and developed lung cancer, mesothelioma or another asbestos–related cancer, please feel free to contact us. We have been helping asbestos victims for over 24 years, and offer a free review of your case as well as information and resources.