Hibbing, MN (Northland's Newscenter) - That is according to the latest report from the study being conducted by the University of Minnesota.
The annual report was given to the state legislature every February.
Death records of former taconite mine workers has shown an increase of mesothelioma cases.
And researchers aren't surprised.
"The fact that up to 25 to 30 percent of the original cohort is likely to have left the state. We did expect to have additional cases when we searched death records from across the country," said Dr. Jeffery Mandel, principal investigator for the Minnesota Taconite Worker Health Study.
14 new cases of mesothelioma have been discovered, bringing the total number to 77.
It's just one of several updates given to the state legislature last week for the Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study being done by the U of M.
Other progress has been made in other areas of the study.
"We've been involved in actually on site measurements, these are measurements dust particles in the air," said Mandel.
Testing has been done at five of the six mines.
United Taconite is in the air testing stages.
Screening of both past and current mine workers at VRMC and Silver Bay have also been completed.
Analysis of those tests are will be conducted this spring.
For former LTV mine worker Dave Trach, he says the findings of this study could help make the work place at Iron Range mines safer for the next generation.
"For my generation it's too late now. What ever you are going to experience from working in the mines, you can't change that. But for the people there working in the mines now, you can," said Trach.
The study is funded by the state and therefore requires annual updates on its progress.
To learn more about the study, click here.
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