Mesothelioma risks and cumulative exposure to elongate mineral particles of various sizes in Minnesota taconite mining industry.

Abstract

An excess of mesothelioma has been previously observed in iron ore miners in Northeastern Minnesota. This study explored the potential association between mesothelioma and elongate mineral particle (EMP) exposures in the Minnesota taconite mining industry, examining both regulated and non-regulated EMP dimensions. A nested case-control study design within the Mineral Resources Health Assessment Programme cohort analysed 104 mesothelioma cases and 410 controls. Cumulative EMP exposures were assessed across various dimensional definitions, including regulated (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH) and non-regulated EMPs. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to estimate mesothelioma risk linked to employment duration and cumulative EMP exposure while adjusting for potential confounding variables. Consistent with earlier assessments, mesothelioma was associated with the number of years employed in the taconite industry (rate ratio (RR) 1.02, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05) and cumulative NIOSH EMP exposure ((EMP/cc)×years) in taconite mining and processing (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.46). Positive associations were also observed with mesothelioma and cumulative exposure to non-regulated EMPs. This study supported the main conclusions in the previous study that the data were consistent with an association between mesothelioma and employment duration and with NIOSH EMP exposure in taconite mining and processing. However, the 95% CI indicates the data are also compatible with a null effect. Given the limitations we cite in the manuscript, additional study is needed to clarify the effect. Additionally, this study found possible evidence of a positive association between mesothelioma and cumulative exposure to Chatfield EMP, Suzuki EMP and Cleavage Fragments in the Minnesota taconite worker population.