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Occupations and Environmental Areas at Risk

Several Minnesota occupations experience an elevated risk for asbestos exposure. The majority of reported incidences occur in the mining industry, where asbestos was widely used in buildings, machinery and protective equipment for the material's heat resistant properties. Other at-risk occupations in the state like plumbing, power generation, construction and maintenance work have also used asbestos for this quality.

Studies by the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System indicate that asbestos exposure is substantially higher for miners compared to the general population. In fact, it was reported that mesothelioma rates were 70 percent higher than the state average in a seven-county region of northeastern Minnesota from 1988 to 1994. This area is known as the Iron Range, a rural portion of Minnesota with four massive iron deposits and a history of mining that dates back to the late 19th century.

Asbestos exposure long was a concern for miners of the Iron Range, but the harmful effects of another mineral common to the mining industry are currently under investigation. Taconite is a low-grade iron ore that revived Minnesota's iron industry after high quality iron deposits were depleted. Extracting iron from taconite rock requires processing that exposes workers to heavy amounts of dust and asbestos-like fibers. The dangers of inhaling taconite dust are not firmly established, but more than 80 taconite workers have developed mesothelioma and thousands have been diagnosed with some form of lung cancer according to the University of Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health is comparing exposure to asbestos and taconite dust to determine which mineral is more likely causing incidences of asbestos-related disease.

Reserve Mining Co.

In 1973, Minnesota, two other states and several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against Reserve Mining Co. for polluting Lake Superior. Based in Silver Bay, Minnesota, the Reserve Mining Co. plant processed raw ore by separating usable iron from other materials. The plant dumped its waste rock into Lake Superior daily for 25 years at a staggering rate of 47 tons per minute.

During litigation, EPA studies revealed that microscopic asbestos-like fibers from the Reserve plant were contaminating the water of Lake Superior. Residents of Duluth and several other surrounding shore towns were shocked to discover that Reserve Mining Co. was dumping a potential carcinogen into their unfiltered source of drinking water. Eight months into the trial the judge issued Reserve an immediate order to stop dumping into the lake, a decision that cut off one-twelfth of the nation's supply of iron ore and put 3,000 people out of work. Reserve later appealed the decision and was permitted to continue dumping in the lake until it found an alternative, which came in the form of an on-land disposal area in 1980.

Minnesota is conducting ongoing studies to investigate any connections between the tainted water supply and cancers of the digestive system. Local advocacy groups have considered pursuing legal action against Northshore Mining Co., the company that now owns the Reserve plant. Because all studies have not been completed and the effects of asbestos exposure can remain unnoticed for decades, the extent of contamination at Lake Superior is not yet completely realized.

Western Mineral Products, Inc.

Western Mineral Products, Inc. of northeast Minneapolis processed vermiculite imported from Libby, Montana and potentially exposed hundreds of people to high levels of asbestos. Unbeknownst to Minneapolis residents, piles of waste rock left in front of the facility for anyone to take free of charge were contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Locals removed materials from the site and may have used it for driveway or yard fill, gardening and other purposes. The EPA conducted an assessment of the Western Mineral Products site in 2000, and the current owners of the site are participating in a voluntary cleanup program. The dangers of asbestos from Libby are still being studied, but to date the city's contaminated vermiculite has been blamed for more than 1,200 asbestos-related illnesses and 400 deaths.

Environmental Asbestos in Minnesota

Naturally occurring asbestos exists in two locations in Minnesota, usually forming alongside iron and taconite deposits in the northeastern region of the state. One major occurrence can be found in the Eastern Mesabi district, a vast deposit of iron ore that covers most of Itasca and St. Louis counties. The bands of iron in this area are known to be contaminated with amosite asbestos in some locations. The second asbestos occurrence is found in Aurora, Minnesota where crocidolite asbestos forms in taconite deposits. Although natural asbestos is typically harmless, the mining and processing of asbestos-contaminated minerals can release airborne fibers that endanger the health of workers and nearby residents.

Superfund Sites

Several hazardous waste sites in Minnesota were classified as Superfund sites by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the dangers they posed to surrounding populations and the environment. The EPA used federal funding and other resources to assist in cleanup efforts. Two Superfund sites in Minnesota, the Agate Lake Scrap Yard and Olmstead County Sanitary Landfill, are known to contain asbestos contaminants that posed considerable health risks.

Asbestos Litigation in Minnesota

Just as in other states with high incidences of asbestos-related disease, employees of negligent companies in Minnesota often resort to asbestos litigation. More than 40 asbestos lawsuits have been filed in Minnesota, many involving notable asbestos product manufacturers like Garlock Sealing Technologies, Owen-Illinois Inc, General Electric Company and Rapid American Corporation.

Each of these companies was listed in more than a dozen cases in the state. Because of trends and filing processes in asbestos lawsuits, plaintiffs are capable of suing multiple companies who may be responsible for their exposure, all within one case.

In a 2007 lawsuit, for example, a plaintiff by the name of Edward Baker took five different defendants to court, including several of the previously listed manufacturing companies. Outcomes of these cases are not always public as many end in out of court settlements prior to a jury verdict. As more workers continue to develop diseases caused by asbestos, taconite or other fibrous minerals, lawsuits are expected to persist.  

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