The union called for a legislative and criminal investigation into the delayed release of a Minnesota Department of Health report that found 35 more taconite miners had died from the rare form of cancer.

"It is unconscionable, unethical and probably criminal for a public agency to withhold information about a potential health risk to our workers," Bratulich said Tuesday in a news release.

"The United Steelworkers are extremely concerned about the health and safety of our members. We should be told the truth immediately if there is a problem with fibers in the rock of some of these operations. We need to know so that we can deal with them in a manner that protects the health of our members and the community generally, and allows those operations to continue to be productive."

In 2003, Health Department studies 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 learned that 35 more miners had died, but waited a year to release that information.

Bratulich called on the state Attorney General\'s office and Minnesota Legislature to investigate the delay. He also said he wants to know if others, including the governor\'s office, were involved.

In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Health Department Commissioner Dianne Mandernach defended the decision, saying department staff were working on studies to determine the cause of the cancer.

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