By Nicolette Helling & photojournalist John Thain, FOX 21 News

VIRGINIA - Fifty-eight Iron Rangers have died from Mesothelioma and the University of Minnesota is trying to find out if those deaths are related to working in the taconite industry.

Respiratory health researchers say their study is going well, denying reports of low participation.

In her dining room, Loretta Hendrickson reads a letter out loud.

"At the request of the Minnesota legislature, the University is conducting a health assessment of taconite workers," Hendrickson reads.

Hendrickson lives in eveleth and worked at the mines there for 22 years.

"I worked for a year and a half in the pelletizer in a lot of dusty, dirty areas," said Hendrickson.

Because of frequent cancer cases among people she knows, Hendrickson says she wants everyone who gets a letter like she did, to participate in the study.

"I do believe in getting all these tests done... to see what's causing it," said Hendrickson. "I believe it's very important."

Hendrickson says she's had to convince some wary, former co–workers to join the study, but researchers in Virginia say they are pleased with the amount of people responding.

"We are at almost full capacity," said Nancy Tekautz.

Tekautz is the field supervisor for the taconite workers respiratory health study and says her clinic is nearly booked.

"We believe the response has been very good and we just want to encourage it to continue," said Tekautz.

More than 500 letters have been sent out to potential participants so far.

Tekautz says close to 200 people have been tested, with many more scheduled in the near future.

The tests take about two hours and include taking X–rays of participants' chests, taking blood, and doing a chest exam.

Another way the study team is analyzing respiratory health is by using machine that measure participants lung capacity and how they exchange oxygen for carbon monoxide.

Any results gathered during testing are kept completely confidential.

"Completely confidential," said Tekautz.

Tekautz says particpants names are never released and those who submit to testing shouldn't worry about an employeer finding out.

"I think its very important that we make it as safe an environment as possible," said Tekautz.

And by doing that, she hopes to see current high levels of participation continue.

"It would be unfortunate, I would think, if we were to get half way to the goal and the interest would not be maintained," said Tekautz. "But I don't think that's the case with the people of the Iron Range."

Within the next 12 months, researchers hope to test the respiratory health of 1,200 miners and 800 of their spouses.

 If you have any questions about the study, call the University of Minnesota at 1–888–840–7590.