The ban of chrysotile asbestos, the only form of asbestos
currently used in or imported to the United States, comes after
the EPA under the previous Trump administration delayed banning
the substance.
“The science is clear – asbestos is a known carcinogen that has
severe impacts on public health," said EPA Administrator Michael
Regan. "That’s why EPA is so proud to finalize this long needed
ban on ongoing uses of asbestos.”
The substance had already been banned in more than 50 countries
around the world and its use in the U.S. had been in decline,
with most consumer industries discontinuing its use.
Raw chrysotile asbestos was imported into the U.S. as recently
as 2022 for use by the chlor-alkali industry, which makes
asbestos diaphragms to make sodium hydroxide and chlorine, used
to disinfect drinking water and wastewater. Eight such plants
remain in the U.S.
It is also used to make aftermarket automotive brakes and
linings and other vehicle friction products, as well as sheet
gaskets.
Exposure to asbestos has been linked to cases of lung cancer,
mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. The EPA said
the announcement is part of President Joe Biden’s Cancer
Moonshot, a strategy to end cancer.
(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Josie Kao)
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