University of Minnesota Ordered to Pay $60,000 for Two Asbestos Violations

On February 19, 2009, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced the University of Minnesota had paid civil penalties and will complete a supplemental environmental project after being fined for asbestos violations at the Centennial Showboat and Rosemount facility. The area is known as “UMore Park.”

The Showboat, which had been dry-docked for more than 14 years awaiting renovation, was inspected by the MPCA in 2007. Approximately 45 cubic yards of dry, asbestos-containing material was found.

The 8,000-acre UMore Park site was a former U.S. government facility that housed over 900 buildings. While the buildings had been demolished before the property was sold to the University, building debris had been left behind. When the MPCA inspected the site in September 2007, asbestos-containing material in the soil and on concrete foundations was found.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.

Weitz & Luxenberg is a leading plaintiffs' law firm that has represented people affected by mesothelioma for over 20 years. Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure may be entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for their disease.

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