Court Upholds Asbestos Testing

According to report, levels of asbestos fibers in the air surrounding Northshore Mining Co.’s Silver Bay will continue to be tested.

Researchers are comparing the fibers at Silver Bay to those in the air in the city of St. Paul.

Decision Made to Continue to be Cautious

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency posed the continuation of testing surrounding the taconite-processing plant to protect local residents.

Earlier this week, a three-judge panel agreed with the agency that the 34-year-old standard needed to be upheld to ensure the health of the people.

Standard of Testing Live On

The standard was reportedly first imposed in 1974 and requires the Silver Bay air to be tested for asbestos fibers.

The result of asbestos fibers in the air around St. Paul should be lower than the samples found in Silver Bay.

This “control city” comparison, as it is called, was implemented because there is no evidence of what levels of asbestos fibers are safe or dangerous for humans.

(Source: Duluth News Tribune)

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