Recent studies are exploring the cause of mesothelioma among Iron Range miners and more lawmakers are inquiring as to just how much financial backing should go to this research.
Earlier this week, officials from the University of Minnesota informed a House panel that they are planning to conduct four studies associated with mesothelioma cases.
High Rate of Mesothelioma in Workers
The studies are being conducted following the discovery of data indicating a high rate of this form of cancer, which is caused by asbestos exposure, amongst mine workers.
Lawmakers have reported that the completion of the multiyear research project regarding mesothelioma is important since the efforts to find the cause of the health effects on workers never reached a conclusion.
“What we’re trying to do is get to the bottom of this once and for all,” says Rep. Tom Rukavina.
Seeking Funding
Rukavina and Iron Range legislators are reportedly seeking $4.9 million for their research and the studies are being conducted by the university’s School of Public Health and Natural Resources Research Institute.
The growing number of mesothelioma cases in the Iron Range mine workers has been under investigation throughout the past few years and health officials, research teams and the families of these workers are eager to reach some conclusions.
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