In the Minnesota Iron Range, the 59th case of mesothelioma among miners has been identified.  The high incidence of mesothelioma in the region prompted Minnesota lawmakers to enact a research bill alotting $4.9 million to asbestos studies.  The 59th diagnosis serves as further confirmation that their concerns are substantiated.

Politicians and researchers convened yesterday afternooon to discuss preliminary studies. Currently, the Natural Resources Research Institute is analyzing iron ore samples and dust in the air in Iron Range communities, to see how closely they match asbestos dust.

Next summer, research teams will randomly screen the respiratory health of 1,200 former and current miners and spouses in the Iron Range area.  This summer, past research is being gathered, synthesized, and analyzed.