A State College company has been fined $7,500 for violations incurred while it removed asbestos from a school in Lycoming County, the state Department of Environmental Resources announced.

Penoco Inc., 2746 W. College Ave., must pay the fine in six installments by June 1, DER reported.

"Penoco had failed to notify DER prior to beginning the removal operation and allowed asbestos dust to escape to the outside air during the removal," DER regional director A. Paul Franklin said in a statement.

Asbestos causes an estimated 9,000 deaths each year, many from lung cancer or asbestosis.

Regulations require companies removing more than 160 square feet of asbestos to notify both DER and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The DER report also charged Penoco with violating waste packaging and labeling policies.