The Environmental Protection Agency has taken a monumental step by announcing a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a carcinogen still lingering in some everyday products, despite being linked to tens of thousands of American deaths annually.
“The science is clear: Asbestos is a known carcinogen that has severe impacts on public health,” stated EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “This action is just the beginning as we work to protect all American families, workers, and communities from toxic chemicals.”
This final rule signifies a significant expansion of EPA regulation, thanks to a landmark 2016 law aimed at overhauling regulations governing tens of thousands of toxic chemicals in various products. The ban primarily targets chrysotile asbestos, the only ongoing use of asbestos in the United States, commonly found in brake linings, gaskets, and in the chlor-alkali industry for manufacturing chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide.
The ban on asbestos, a substance known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers, aligns with President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, aiming to end cancer in the U.S.
While asbestos was previously banned by the EPA in 1989, a 1991 court decision weakened the regulation. The 2016 law empowered the EPA to evaluate chemicals and implement protections against unreasonable risks.
Despite its ban in over 50 countries, asbestos has persisted in the U.S., mainly imported from Brazil and Russia for use in the chlor-alkali industry. However, the use of asbestos diaphragms in chlor-alkali production has been decreasing.
This ban represents a critical move towards safeguarding public health and underscores the importance of stringent regulation in protecting individuals from the hazards of toxic substances.
