-December 12, 2007
The Minnesota Health Department recently discovered more information regarding the workers from the Iron Range who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
According to reports, 58 taconite miners have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is a rare and fatal form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
New Data Found
The new data that scientists found is expected to help pave the way for three large studies that are going to be conducted in the near future regarding the cancer and the miners’ health.
Mesothlioma has reportedly been diagnosed twice as much in northeastern Minnesota then in any other part of the country.
Iron Rangers Still Concerned
The Iron Rangers became concerned and angry after finding out that the state health authorities were withholding information regarding 35 of the cases.
Many are still critical that the recent release of information doesn’t contain the level of details that researchers will need in order to explain how the miners contracted the cancer.
“It doesn’t really get at the key issue here that’s on everybody’s minds-which is, is there some relationship between these cases and working in the taconite industry?” says Dr. Jeff Mandel, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota.
Plans to Reveal Cause of Mesothelioma
Researchers claim that they are almost finished with the plans for the three proposed studies and are intending on asking lawmakers for money as their next step.
“I don’t care what it costs,” said Sen. Tom Bakk. “If it costs $2 million, if it costs $10 million, if it costs the state $30 million- I don’t care.”
(Source: In-Forum)
Have you recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma? If so, please contact us today to find out more about the illness and the resources that are available to you.