U.S Government Enacts Historic Asbestos Ban to Combat Cancer and Enhance Public Health

asbestos roofing sheet

On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a groundbreaking rule to prohibit the ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, marking a significant stride in the nation's chemical safety and public health efforts. This decision, aligning with President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, aims to protect Americans from cancers caused by asbestos exposure, including lung, ovarian, and laryngeal cancers. As the only form of asbestos currently utilized or imported in the U.S., this ban addresses the dire consequences of asbestos, responsible for over 40,000 U.S. deaths annually.

This EPA action, the first to be finalized under the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), signifies a historic achievement following decades of insufficient protections and delays. The ban impacts products such as asbestos diaphragms and various automotive and industrial components. It not only echoes the urgent need to prevent asbestos-related diseases but also positions the U.S. alongside over 50 countries that have already prohibited its use.

Acknowledging the lengthy battle against asbestos use, officials and advocates hail this rule as a pivotal first step towards a future free from asbestos exposure. The EPA has set compliance deadlines for transitioning away from chrysotile asbestos uses, with immediate effects for the chlor-alkali sector, significant in the production of chlorine for water purification. This sector must shift to alternative methods within a reasonable timeframe to avoid adverse impacts on water treatment processes.

Further, the rule outlines phase-outs for other asbestos-containing products, alongside stringent workplace safety measures to protect workers and ensure proper asbestos disposal. The EPA continues its comprehensive evaluation of other asbestos fibers, promising the release of the part 2 draft risk evaluation shortly, with a final assessment due by December 1, 2024, marking a continued effort to safeguard public health and the environment from toxic substances.