US EPA Finalizes Ban on Cancer-Causing Asbestos
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a significant step towards chemical safety by finalizing a rule that bans the use and import of cancer-causing chrysotile asbestos.
Background
Asbestos, a hazardous mineral linked to lung cancer and other ailments, is still used in some vehicles and industrial facilities in the US. The FDA estimates that asbestos causes over 40,000 deaths in the country annually.
Regulatory Action
The federal prohibition on asbestos comes more than 30 years after previous attempts by the EPA to eliminate its use. This ban marks the first rule finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Significance of the Ban
While the use of asbestos in manufacturing and construction has decreased, it still persists in products like chlorine bleach and brake pads, posing a continued health risk. EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasized the importance of this ban, stating that asbestos is banned in over 50 countries due to its dangers.
Government Statements
The government hailed the ban as a major milestone for chemical safety, addressing decades of inadequate protections. President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative aims to protect families and workers from hazardous chemicals like asbestos.