Minnesota is well known for their iron ore, especially in the Northeastern Iron Range region of the state. The iron industry had taken a drastic downturn in the last two years but is now back in full demand, one of the quickest turnarounds in such a market.
Iron workers who had been laid off for the last couple of years are now working full time, with ample opportunity to work even more. The iron produced from the mines in Minnesota is competitively priced, and the demand for steel is high, so the industry is expected to stay robust for a while into the future.
In all the news about how wonderful this economic boom is, however, there is no mention of the fact that many iron workers have fallen ill to a rare disease called mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining of the lung, heart or abdomen that is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos.
The death rate due to mesothelioma is much higher among miners and residents in the northeastern region of Minnesota, which prompted several research studies in the past. The first was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health, but the scope and funds were limited so conclusive results were never really discovered. More workers were dying of mesothelioma, so a further, more extensive study began led by the University of Minnesota Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic to research the causes of the increased numbers of asbestos related diseases among the taconite miner population. This $4.9 million study began in 2007, and researchers hope to release results from that by the end of this year.
In the meantime, it seems if they are going to begin mining again at full capacity, protective measures should be taken by employers and workers, as well as family members. A common way second-hand exposure occurs to family members is when workers carry home asbestos fibers on their clothes, shoes or in their hair.
Workers at the mines should have a safe way to launder clothes and shower before leaving the job site. They should also be provided with information about the risks of exposure to asbestos and given protective gear and respirators to prevent any inhalation or ingestion of microscopic toxic fibers.
To have jobs provided in a tough economy is always something to be celebrated, but if those jobs are going to steal the lives of workers decades down the road due to lack of training or protection when the statistics overwhelmingly show there is a high risk, safety measures should be taken. In light of the already heightened number of deaths due to mesothelioma among taconite workers, the employer should act responsibly and protect workers even if the exact cause has not been clearly established.
We have seen our clients suffer through the symptoms of mesothelioma, the side effects of treatment, and losing a loved one- and it is heartbreaking. Because this disease is so avoidable, we implore all at risk to do whatever necessary to stay safe and protected. For more information about mesothelioma among taconite workers, read our article: Taconite Mining and Higher Rates of Mesothelioma in Northeastern Minnesota
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