According to reports, two mining companies in Minnesota could be facing penalties for failing to adhere to new rules concerning asbestos in the workplace air.

The new guidelines, which take effect in April, state that the federal regulators have the authority to reduce the amount of dust in the air if airborne asbestos is above the new limit.

Asbestos in the Air

Under new regulations that were passed in February, the amount of asbestos that is permitted in mine air is five percent of what's currently allowed.

This new rule is meant to give miners the same protection that other miners have had since 1994.

Minnesota Mines Questioned

The Northshore Mining ore plant in Silver Bay, Minn., is currently being questioned regarding the needle-shaped asbestos that have been detected since 2003.

Federal tests also found that a mine in Babbit, which is another area in the Northshore area, found asbestos in the air.

Gerald Holman, the Duluth-based assistant district manager for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, says that in mines exceed the acceptable asbestos limit, regulators can issue citations and order workers to wear protective gear.

(Source: Star Tribune)

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