Mesothelioma and Other Lung Disease in Taconite Miners; the Uncertain Role of Non-Asbestiform EMP

Details

• Personal Author:
  Mandel JH ; Odo NU
• Description:
  The purpose of this paper was to assess the role of non-asbestiform amphibole EMPs in the etiology of mesotheliomas and other lung disease in taconite (iron ore) miners. Increased mesothelioma rates have been described in Minnesota taconite workers since the late 1990s. Currently, over 100 cases have been reported by the Minnesota Department of Health within the complete cohort of miners in Minnesota. Geologic sampling has indicated that only the eastern part of the iron range contains non-asbestiform amphibole elongate mineral particles (EMPs), in close proximity to the ore. This type of EMP has been less studied and also exists in talc and gold mining. A series of investigations into the state's taconite industry have been recently completed. Results from a cohort mortality study indicated an SMR of 2.77 (95% CI = 1.87-3.96) for mesothelioma. In a case-control study, the odds ratio for mesothelioma for high vs. low EMP exposure was 2.25 (5% CI = 1.13-4.5) but EMPs in this study were counted by phase contrast microscopy. Odds ratios were not elevated in mines located in the eastern part of the Mesabi iron range. The overall findings suggest that mesothelioma in taconite miners is related to EMP exposure. Because of the way EMPs were counted, results from these studies cannot allow a firm conclusion about the association between EMP exposure and the reported excess mesothelioma. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cohort Studies Epidemiology Lung Diseases Mining Mortality Neoplasms Occupational Health Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Mesothelioma Case-Control Study Cohort Studies Lung Disease Mesothelioma Mine Workers Mining Industry Mortality Rates Odds Ratio Taconite
• ISSN:
  0041-008X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Minnesota ; Nevada ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  107-112
• Volume:
  361
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064439
• Citation:
  Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018 Dec; 361:107-112
• Contact Point Address:
  Jeffrey H. Mandel, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware Street, S.E., Box 807 Mayo, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
• Email:
  mand0125@umn.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Taconite (CAS RN 12249-26-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2019
• Performing Organization:
  University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:cd0dff0ed2dcef52c0010485f20d75962ce4658a9ee709969c1b7bfde659909922a10446bdbdb60febd781cdcab582dc4cd9b51b462c1a21d39664ed6af4ccb8
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/222895/cdc_222895_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 216.59 KB ]