1. Skip to header
  2. Skip to main
  3. Skip to content
  4. Skip to sidebar
  5. Skip to footer
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 31, 2010

Iron Range Health Screenings Yield More Mesothelioma Cases

As University of Minnesota researchers continue to try to get to the cause of the high incidence of mesothelioma cases among the Iron Range, Minnesota taconite miners, they have found an additional 4 cases of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer typically affecting the lining of the lungs. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, most cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed 30 years or more after exposure. The researchers at Iron Range have not uncovered any asbestos materials. Due to the high latency period, researchers expect to find more cases.

Researchers have been conducting respiratory health screenings on the miners and their family members as they try to understand the mesothelioma cases.

The total number of workers diagnosed with mesothelioma has now reached 63. The new cases will be integrated into the university’s Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study.