Former Grace Workers Told of Possible Plant Exposure; Nearby Homeowners Sue

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota's state Department of Health has alerted former employees of a W.R. Grace & Co.'s Minneapolis vermiculite plant to be aware of health risks associated with possible exposure to asbestos there.

In a letter to some 235 former plant workers, the health department advised that federal officials are evaluating a spike in unexplained, asbestos-related illnesses among those who processed vermiculite in the now-closed W.R. Grace facility.

The letter also warned that those who suffer from what they believe are illnesses related to exposure at the plant may be limited in the time they have to sue the company.