Minnesota – The Minnesota study on taconite miners in the Iron Range of Minnesota has hit a funding snag, with opposing lawmakers debating over where the money for the study should come from.

The study itself was approved almost a month ago, and there is no debate over the necessity of the research. However, the study is now being held up by arguments over how the study should be funded.

Currently a total of 58 Minnesota Iron Range workers have died from pleural mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, and some asbestos-like minerals. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose, highly treatment-resistant, and incurable.

The proposed study is expected to cost $4.9 million, and will be led by a team of researchers from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. The study will attempt to answer three basic questions:

* Why are Iron Range taconite miners developing mesothelioma?
* Are the miners are developing other diseases in addition to mesothelioma?
* Could secondary exposure issues affect the families of Iron Range miners, or the larger community?

The researchers will collect data about the level of exposure to the dust, and incidence of health problems attributed to the dust, in miners and their families. The researchers will also investigate the chemical and physical properties of the dust to determine why it is causing cancer.

The problem, however, is that unless the current funding issues are resolved, the study may never get started. The ongoing debate centers on where the $4.9 million to pay for the study should come from.

Iron Range lawmakers want to fund the study using funds from the state Worker’s Compensation Fund. They believe it’s a logical source for the funding because the research will help to protect future mine workers.

However, other lawmakers would prefer the Iron Ranger miner study to be funded partially via funds from a state agency called Iron Range Resources. This agency is more focused on the northeastern part of Minnesota rather than the entire state. According to those who would prefer this funding source it’s more appropriate because mesothelioma cases have been reported only in that region.

According to the Iron Range lawmakers, funding the study using Iron Range Resources money means that the study would, in effect, be funded by property taxes, and this shouldn’t happen because previous health studies in other parts of Minnesota haven’t been funded this way.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 21st, 2008 at 4:45 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma Treatment, Minnesota. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.