A new study to be conducted by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Minnesota-Duluth will investigate the similarities between taconite miners on Minnesota’s Iron Range and a high incidence of mesothelioma.
The Health Assessment of Taconite Workers is a comprehensive investigation into what extent that employment in the taconite industry and exposure to dust from the industry affects the workers, with specific focus paid to respiratory diseases and diseases associated with silica and
asbestos exposure. The study, which is expected to last three-to-five years and cost approximately $4.9 million, is the end result of at least ten years of smaller studies, which investigated issues surrounding taconite workers’ health issues. The University of Minnesota’s Taconite Workers Health Study plans to study the various issues of these smaller studies with a focus placed on mesothelioma. Approximately 1,000 mine workers and 800 of their spouses will perform as test subjects having their overall health evaluated by the drawing of blood, respiratory testing, and radiological chest X-rays and CT scans. The Minnesota Department of Health conducted a similar study in 2003, which linked the taconite miners with mesothelioma to commercial exposure to asbestos in the mines. In this study, 14 of 17 of the mesothelioma cases were found to be directly associated with asbestos exposure. Three primary questions have shaped the investigation of the Health Assessment of Taconite Workers:
- What is the relationship of working in the taconite industry to the excess number of cases of mesothelioma?
- Are other diseases, respiratory and non-respiratory, associated with work in the taconite industry?
- Are spouse at risk for respiratory diseases as a result of their partners working in the taconite industry.
In order to answer these questions, five individual core study designs have been developed, each with distinct goals.
- Occupational Exposure Assessment
- Cause of Death Study
- Cancer Incidence Study
- Respiratory Health Survey of Taconite Workers and Spouses
- Environmental Study of Airborne Particulates
For more information regarding this study or to apply as a candidate for testing contact:
Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
1235 Mayo, MMC 807
420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Toll free: 866-978-1822
Voice: 612-625-4578
Fax: 612-626-4837