Wisconsin college’s violations rescinded by state officials

Local reports have announced that Wisconsin state officials have withdrawn over 40 violations that were levied against the University of Wisconsin – Stout. Last summer, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce inspected the campus and found 51 state code violations. Now, only seven of those violations are still outstanding, and the rest have been taken off the books.

Six of those seven violations relate to asbestos issues.

"We are disappointed that the department of commerce did not visit the campus after rescinding the original report to clarify the issues to provide a balanced review," says UW Stout spokesperson Doug Mell. Mell added that the original report was “deeply flawed” and caused a great deal of controversy at the university when it was first released.

Asbestos exposure gas been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms, and the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years following diagnosis. The cancer can lead to tumors in the lining of the lungs, the lining of the heart, and other tissues in the abdominal cavity. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and severe lung damage.

The University has until February 15th to address the outstanding violations.