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U of M | Minneapolis | St. Paul
Wednesday
May 22, 2013

Iron Range

Subhead: 
The University is investigating a possible link between taconite fibers in northern Minnesota and lung cancer. For silica and asbestos, the health dangers are certain and often deadly, but monitoring and reduction of the particles remains inadequate, some say.
Publish Date: 
Tue, 10/27/2009
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
jvanberkel@mnda...

Mount Iron, Minn. — A banner hangs in front of the entrance to Minntac Mine depicting a group of people holding hands and walking into a sunset. White writing across the top reads: “Safety is a family value.”
But some workers in the open pit taconite mines of Northern Minnesota say their safety has not been the top priority of companies and the Mining Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
The concerns on the Iron Range are high rates of mesothelioma and lung diseases like silicosis.

Editor's Note: 
This is the second in a two-part series exploring the potential dangers of dust on miners in the Iron Range.
Blurb: 
The University is investigating a possible link between taconite fibers in northern Minnesota and lung cancer. For silica and asbestos, the health dangers are certain and often deadly, but monitoring and reduction of the particles remains inadequate, some say.
Story Attributes
Breaking News: 
Not Breaking News
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Front Page Feature
Section Feature: 
Not Section Feature
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Not Weekend Sports
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Subhead: 
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series exploring the potential dangers of taconite dust on miners in the Iron Range. Tomorrow’s story will look at taconite dust regulations.
Publish Date: 
Mon, 10/26/2009
AP Article: 
Not AP Article
Reporter: 
jvanberkel@mnda...

Virginia, Minn.— There was dust when Roger Holmstrom loaded his truck, dust when he drove the unpaved paths of the mine and dust when he dumped his load of taconite in the crusher.
In 36 years of working at the mines, he was never told how dangerous taconite dust could be. No one was told, because no one knows.
In April 2008, the University of Minnesota received $4.9 million to research a possible link between dust created in mining and the deaths of at least 58 Mesabi Iron Range miners due to mesothelioma since 1988.

Blurb: 
As the winter chill hits Minnesota’s Iron Range, the windows and doors of the taconite mining facilities have begun to close. But in keeping out the cold, the companies may be keeping in a deadlier hazard: dust.
Story Attributes
Breaking News: 
Not Breaking News
Front Page Feature: 
Front Page Feature
Section Feature: 
Not Section Feature
Weekend Sports: 
Not Weekend Sports
Relevant Content: 
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