Their action comes a day after the United Steelworkers union, which represents taconite workers, demanded a full investigation.

Rep. Tom Rukavina (center) issued a call for Commissioner of Health Dianne Mandernach to resign, as Rep. David Tomassoni (left) and Sen. John Marty look on. Photo by Michael Moore

Under the leadership of Commissioner of Health Dianne Mandernach, the Department of Health delayed for a full year release of a report showing 35 more taconite miners from the Iron Range had died of mesothelioma, cancer that causes tumors on the lung\'s surface, between 2003 and 2006.

Since the late 1980s, unusually high rates of mesothelioma have been reported among men living on the Iron Range – significantly higher than anywhere else in the country.

A 2003 study indicated that 17 taconite miners had died from exposure to commercial asbestos, used in furnaces and other iron ore processes. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Sunday that in 2006, the Department of Health learned that 35 more miners had died, but waited a year to release that information.

In a letter to Pawlenty, eight Iron Range lawmakers and Health, Housing and Family Security Committee Chair John Marty said that if working conditions have put taconite miners at risk, they deserve to know about it.

The lawmakers held a news conference outside Gov. Tim Pawlenty\'s office Wednesday morning. Mandernach is a Pawlenty appointee.

"We can think of no greater breach of the public trust than for the Commissioner of Health to subvert, conceal and fail to warn workers of grave health dangers," the legislators wrote. "Commissioner Mandernach\'s conduct is unconscionable.

"In this era of pandemic health threats, bioterrorism, polluted drinking water sources and environmental hazards, the public must have the utmost confidence in government. Sadly, Commissioner Mandernach has lost that trust. New leadership in the department is required immediately."

Along with Marty, lawmakers signing the letter to Pawlenty were David Tomassoni, Thomas Bakk and Thomas Saxhaug from the Senate, and David Dill, Thomas Rukavina, Loren Solberg and Anthony Sertich from the House.

Michael Moore edits the St. Paul Union Advocate, the official publication of the St. Paul Trades & Labor Assembly.

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