The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a pivotal moment in public health protection by enacting a comprehensive ban on the ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos. This decisive step, the first of its kind under the enhancements made to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 2016, is a significant stride toward safeguarding the American populace from the lethal repercussions of asbestos exposure.
Chrysotile asbestos, infamous for its carcinogenic properties, has been directly linked to diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancer, contributing to an alarming rate of over 40,000 deaths annually within the U.S. The prohibition of chrysotile asbestos is a key component of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, which aims to drastically reduce the incidence of cancer and revolutionize the landscape of cancer treatment.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory have both highlighted this rule as a critical achievement in the administration’s broader mission to ensure environmental justice and enhance chemical safety across the nation.
Specifics of the Asbestos Ban
The new regulations target the cessation of chrysotile asbestos use, which is prevalent in various products including brake blocks, sheet gaskets, and other vehicle friction products. Despite the declining use of asbestos in the U.S. and its ban in over 50 countries, its importation and utilization have persisted within certain sectors, notably the chlor-alkali industry, which employs asbestos in the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide.
Chlor-alkali Sector Regulations
A significant aspect of the new rule is the immediate ban on importing chrysotile asbestos for use in the chlor-alkali industry, a critical step towards eradicating its use in a sector that has been a notable holdout. To facilitate a smooth transition away from asbestos, the EPA has delineated specific timelines for the industry, requiring the phase-out of asbestos diaphragms and the adoption of non-asbestos technologies within a structured time frame.
Broad Coverage and Compliance Timelines
The rule extends its protective measures beyond the chlor-alkali sector, imposing bans and phase-outs on the use of asbestos in products such as oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes, and other specified gaskets. For each category of use, the EPA has established clear compliance deadlines, ranging from immediate bans to phased transitions over several years, ensuring both the protection of public health and the provision of reasonable adaptation periods for industries.
Support and Advocacy for the Ban
The ban has garnered widespread support from lawmakers, environmental organisations, and the public, with notable endorsements from figures like Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. Their advocacy highlights the crucial role of legislation in strengthening public health protections and underscores the widespread consensus on the urgency of banning asbestos.
Looking Forward: Enforcement and Further Evaluations
In addition to immediate enforcement actions, the EPA is committed to rigorous oversight during the transition periods, including strict workplace safety measures to mitigate asbestos exposure risks. Moreover, the agency is actively evaluating other forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, with plans to release further findings and potentially expand the scope of regulations to ensure comprehensive protection against asbestos-related hazards.
The Biden-Harris administration's enactment of the asbestos ban under the revised TSCA represents a monumental achievement in public health and environmental protection. By eliminating the use of chrysotile asbestos, this regulation not only confronts a long-standing public health challenge but also sets a precedent for future actions against hazardous substances. This commitment to health, science, and environmental justice signifies a profound step forward in the collective effort to reduce cancer incidences and enhance the quality of life for Americans nationwide.
