SPH Takes Over Iron Range Cancer Study

The School of Public Health will take over management of cancer studies among taconite workers in Minnesota's Iron Range.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) had been planning the research, but the state agency came under fire for keeping quiet about deaths among Iron Range residents from a rare form of cancer called mesothelioma.

SPH Dean John Finnegan and faculty members Ian Greaves and Jeffrey Mandel recently testified at two legislative hearings, one of which was held on the Iron Range and was attended by more than 200 miners and community members. The researchers outlined their plans for leading a study of mesothelioma.

"We know some things. We suspect a lot of things," said Finnegan. "This particular issue arising at this particular time provides us with the opportunity to increase our understanding of mining health issues."

The University pledged to pay for the research until the Legislature provides funding and to offer advice to mine workers on how to reduce risks. Mandel said he was willing to start working with the MDH immediately to find answers. He explained that it would take six months to a year to conduct a comprehensive assessment of taconite dust and a total of three to five years to conduct a case-control study of mesothelioma and assess causes of death.

A third study would examine lung health of current and former miners.

"This will be a laborious process because of the size of the study group, gathering work histories, and assessing exposures," said Mandel. He also called for participation from the United Steelworkers union and mining companies.