EPA Proposes to Ban Last Remaining Use of Asbestos

WASHINGTON — Under a new risk management process used for the first time under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act, the Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed to completely ban the manufacture and import of asbestos. 

The proposed rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos being imported into the U.S., which can be found in products like roofing materials, gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings and other vehicle products imported to the country.

Raw chrysotile asbestos currently imported to the U.S. is used exclusively by the chlor-alkali industry, which has previously asked for an exception to any proposed ban, saying the generation of chlorine and sodium hydroxide chemicals is vital to protecting the safety of the nation’s drinking water supply. 

Most consumer products that historically contained chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued.

“This historic proposed ban would protect the American people from exposure to chrysotile asbestos, a known carcinogen, and demonstrates significant progress in our work to implement the TSCA law and take bold, long-overdue actions to protect those most vulnerable among us,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a release. 

The American Chemistry Council, which represents leading companies engaged in using chemistry to make products and technologies, has announced plans to submit comments to the EPA’s proposal, but insists that chlor-alkali manufacturing is highly regulated by an Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard, and could disrupt the 98% of public drinking water facilities using some form of chlorine-based disinfectant. 

“ACC strongly urges EPA to withdraw its chrysotile asbestos risk management proposal and take into consideration its negative impacts to critical water infrastructure, supply chains, and achieving our climate and sustainability goals,” the council offered in its own release.

While the use of asbestos in the U.S. has been declining for decades, the known carcinogen remains linked to various forms of cancer and nearly 40,000 national deaths per year. 

Over 50 countries have banned asbestos. 

The proposed ban could be the first time the government is taking major action against asbestos since the EPA attempted to ban asbestos in the U.S. in 1989, though a 1991 court decision weakened the agency’s major action. 

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