Asbestos Exposure Sites in Minnesota
Minnesota has 3 documented asbestos exposure sites spanning 2 industries. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Minnesota
Minnesota's asbestos exposure history encompasses iron mining on the Iron Range, the taconite industry, manufacturing in the Twin Cities, and a unique environmental exposure concern. The iron mines and taconite processing plants of the Mesabi Iron Range in northeastern Minnesota exposed workers to mineral dust that includes elongated amphibole particles similar in structure to asbestos. The town of Libby, Montana shipped asbestos-contaminated vermiculite to a W.R. Grace processing facility in Minneapolis, creating exposure for workers and nearby residents. The 3M Company, headquartered in Maplewood, manufactured products containing asbestos and operated plants where workers were exposed. Power plants operated by Northern States Power Company (now Xcel Energy), including the Allen S. King Plant in Bayport and the Riverside Plant in Minneapolis, used asbestos insulation extensively. The Ford Motor Company Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Highland Park, which operated from 1925 to 2011, contained asbestos materials. Military installations including Fort Snelling and the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills used asbestos. Flour mills in Minneapolis, once the nation's largest milling center, and the meatpacking industry in South Saint Paul also contributed to worker exposure. Minnesota's four-year statute of limitations for personal injury provides more time than most states, but mesothelioma patients should still consult an attorney promptly.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Minnesota: Iron and taconite mining, Manufacturing, Power generation, Food processing, Military installations, Vermiculite processing.
Notable exposure sites: Mesabi Iron Range taconite plants; W.R. Grace vermiculite facility, Minneapolis; 3M Company, Maplewood; Xcel Energy power plants; Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, St. Paul.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Minnesota
What is Minnesota's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Minnesota has a four-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the date of death.
Is taconite mining on the Iron Range linked to mesothelioma?
Research has shown that taconite miners on the Mesabi Iron Range have elevated rates of mesothelioma. The mineral dust from taconite mining contains elongated amphibole particles that behave similarly to asbestos fibers, and epidemiological studies have documented this connection.
Was there asbestos-contaminated vermiculite processed in Minnesota?
Yes. A W.R. Grace facility in Minneapolis processed vermiculite ore from the Libby, Montana mine, which was contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Workers at the plant and people in the surrounding neighborhood may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
How do I find a mesothelioma attorney in Minnesota?
Our directory lists attorneys experienced in Minnesota asbestos cases. Minnesota's courts have handled numerous asbestos claims, and experienced attorneys can evaluate whether to file in state court or pursue claims in other jurisdictions as well.