U.S. Asbestos Ban

Many citizens are learning that the U.S., despite knowing of its history and direct link to an aggressive and swiftly fatal form of cancer, never actually banned the ongoing use of asbestos. Asbestos is a group of six fibrous minerals that are found in rock and soil and extracted through mining. These fibers are heat resistant and do not conduct electricity, which makes them ideal as industrial insulators. They’ve been used as a building material for years but there were complications. Those working with the material often developed a respiratory disease later in life. Asbestos was eventually tied to lung cancer and specifically identified as the root cause of the even more deadly, mesothelioma. For these and other reasons, Europe banned Asbestos roughly 25 years ago. Despite the link between deadly forms of cancer and this material, the U.S. hasn’t issued a ban on its continued use until this year. In March of this year, the EPA finalized a ban prohibiting the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos. Asbestos is already banned in more than 50 countries so this rule isn’t exactly breaking new ground. However, this step will result in the creation of a much-needed standard that will help protect those who would otherwise be exposed to asbestos in the course of their job. Chrysotile asbestos is thought to be the only form of asbestos commonly used in the creation of new products today so the ban would effectively close a remaining loophole for asbestos use. This does, however, lead to several questions regarding the phasing out of other, less common types of asbestos. Some experts say that even with this ban, asbestos remains in many already-produced products and buildings across the country. This, somewhat more passive, source of asbestos exposure will still need to be addressed. It will take more than this recent bill to get rid of asbestos exposure completely.

Asbestos is currently the cause of over 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. It can be found in a wide range of products including automotive brake locks and brake linings, building insulation, vinyl floor tiles and textured paint, and some fabrics. It is also used to make chlorine and sodium hydroxide. However, the most common products likely to incorporate asbestos are products that are specifically created to reduce friction or to be heat resistant. These products will all be addressed by the ban and will be phased out. All of these products have asbestos-free variations already in products so this ban will push manufacturers to make a change for the health and protection of their workers and the American people at large. The ban that was first attempted in 1989 is finally being adopted. Let’s hope that it survives the next four years.