Study of rare affliction among miners gets a push
Comprehensive research of a rare cancer afflicting Iron Range miners will go forward after northeastern Minnesota DFLers and Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty reached a compromise over funding.
From the Star Tribune, April 17, 2008
The deal announced Thursday takes $4.9 million for four phases of research from a Department of Commerce-administered fund that is running a healthy surplus. It avoids using the special workers' compensation fund, which Pawlenty feared could have meant premium increases for all businesses that feed it.
A final Senate vote on the measure will come as soon as Monday. It then moves back to the House, where DFL Majority Leader Tony Sertich promised swift action.
The state Health Department has said 58 deaths in northeastern Minnesota are blamed on mesothelioma, usually caused by asbestos, and has turned up among dozens of taconite miners. Male residents of the region have come down with mesothelioma at unusually high rates since the late 1980s.
The University of Minnesota will lead the studies. It will analyze death records and conduct screenings of current and former workers and their families. Environmental reviews will also be done. In all, the research is expected to take up to five years.
Legislators will get updates on findings and recommendations for reducing exposure to the agents believed to cause the cancer.
