U.S. Enacts Full Ban on Asbestos Which Takes 40,000 Lives Annually

In a landmark move aimed at safeguarding public health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented a comprehensive ban on the import and use of chrysotile asbestos, the sole remaining type of asbestos in use within the country. This decisive action follows more than three decades of regulatory efforts and legal challenges, marking a significant milestone in the fight against asbestos-related illnesses, which claim approximately 40,000 American lives annually.

Source: WWLP-22News/YouTube

Chrysotile asbestos, also known as “white asbestos,” has been a subject of controversy due to its association with a spectrum of severe health conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Despite its hazardous nature, this form of asbestos has continued to find applications in a limited array of products, notably in the automotive and chemical industries, due to its heat and fire-resistant properties.

The EPA’s ban, announced on Monday, represents the culmination of years of advocacy and legislative reform aimed at strengthening the agency’s authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This enhanced authority, revitalized by bipartisan Support in Congress in 2016, has now been leveraged to prohibit a substance that poses undeniable risks to human health.

Acknowledging the ban as a “historic” achievement, the EPA has outlined a phased approach to its implementation. This includes immediate restrictions on the import of new asbestos materials, with a grace period extended to certain industries to transition to safer alternatives. For instance, the chlorine manufacturing sector, which had voiced concerns over the ban’s impact on chlorine supply, has been granted up to five years to adapt to the new regulations.

Critics of the ban, including the American Chemistry Council, have argued for a more extended transition period, citing potential disruptions to supply chains and the availability of essential utilities like drinking water. However, environmental and public health advocates have lauded the EPA’s decision, calling for further action to address all forms of asbestos and eliminate their use.

The EPA’s ban on chrysotile asbestos not only closes a significant chapter in the nation’s history of industrial regulation but also underscores a broader commitment to public health and safety. By taking a definitive stance against asbestos, the U.S. joins over 70 other countries in recognizing the imperative to protect citizens from this deadly carcinogen.

Related Content:

• The Surprising Truth About Asbestos in Drinking Water
• Cancer-Causing Asbestos Found in Power-Based Makeup
• How The United States Struggles with Unregulated Toxic Chemicals
• 5 Real World Examples of Toxic Beauty Ingredients Causing Adverse Reactions
• Hidden Dangers of Everyday Chemicals in America

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!