Scientists to Study High Mesothelioma Levels in Minnesota Miners

A 4.9 million dollar research plan has been developed by researches at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health.  This plan, which will continue through the next 5 years, aims to provide answers to why there are elevated levels of mesothelioma among miners in the Minnesota’s Iron Range.  The research plan was recently reviewed and approved by an independent scientific review board.

Data for the research is already being collected.  Occupational history reports for over 68,000 miners are being sorted and analyzed.  Many of these workers have already lost their lives to mesothelioma.  Also being collected are medical assessments of 1,200 current mine employees, along with several of their spouses (asbestos exposure often occurs second hand.  Dust samplings are also being taken through out the area.

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