On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule prohibiting the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form currently used or imported in the United States. Often called white asbestos, it is often used in the chloralkali industry to create chlorine and treat water. This new ban is the first rule finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a chemical safety law that received overwhelming support from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. This new ban marks the first significant regulatory action on asbestos in over 30 years.
As many of us know, asbestos has long been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer and other serious health issues. It is responsible for over 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S. This prohibition supports President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, aimed at ending cancer as we know it.
Critics say it doesn’t go far enough
The EPA has established compliance deadlines of up to 12 years for transitioning away from using chrysotile asbestos, ensuring a practicable and realistic transition window as required by law. While this action represents a significant advancement in protecting public health and addressing long-standing chemical safety issues in the United States, critics argue that it doesn’t go far enough because it does not ban all types asbestos – the EPA still allows companies to import five other types of asbestos fibers.
Dr. Raja Flores, chairman of the Department of Thoracic Surgery for Mount Sinai Medical Center, told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com that “It’s a step in the right direction,” but he went on to point out that the government can save a lot more lives if they just ban asbestos.
There is still more to do
Unfortunately, workers are still exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers that have been proven to cause harm. Researchers can continue to find safe alternatives to this deadly mineral, but this is little consolation to mesothelioma victims and their families. Those diagnosed with this disease can contact a lawyer who specializes in helping employees harmed by this clearly dangerous mineral.