Jul 12, 2007 6:21 pm US/Central
Pawlenty, Iron Rangers Agree On Studies Of Miners
St. Paul (AP) ―
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The studies would: compare asbestos and taconite dust exposure of miners who got mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer, and exposure of those who didn't; study the respiratory health of taconite miners; and examine causes of death among mine workers to
AP
Gov. Tim Pawlenty outlined plans Thursday for three studies of cancer among Iron Range miners, satisfying Range lawmakers who want the research to move ahead.
But anger lingered over Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach's decision to hold back information about almost three dozen cancer cases, a delay that prompted calls for her resignation when it became known last month. Pawlenty criticized her but didn't ask her to quit.
The governor's plan would have Mandernach use about $100,000 from her office budget for Health Department and University of Minnesota researchers to design the studies.
The studies would: compare asbestos and taconite dust exposure of miners who got mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer, and exposure of those who didn't; study the respiratory health of taconite miners; and examine causes of death among mine workers to spot links to taconite dust.
Pawlenty said he will work with lawmakers to fund the studies once they're designed, probably about the time the Legislature reconvenes next February.
Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, said he wants the money approved as quickly as possible, either in February or during a special session if there is one. Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the governor also wants the quick approval so the studies can get started.
Bakk and Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township, said the Minnesota Health Department should be involved in designing the studies because of the agency's stores of data and past research on the issue. But Bakk said university researchers should take the lead after the recent flap.
"The department has badly failed not only the employees but the employers -- the mines," Bakk said.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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