EPA Bans Asbestos, A Deadly Carcinogen Still Used In The U.S.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a carcinogen still used in some chlorine bleach, brake pads, and other products, causing tens of thousands of American deaths every year, according to Matthew Daly's report for the Associated Press (AP).

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers, linked to more than 40,000 deaths in the US each year.

The final rule marks a significant expansion of EPA regulation under a landmark 2016 law that overhauled regulations governing tens of thousands of toxic chemicals in everyday products, from household cleaners to clothing and furniture.

The new rule would ban chrysotile asbestos, the only ongoing use of asbestos in the US, found in products such as brake linings and gaskets and used in manufacturing chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the final rule a major step to protect public health. "With today’s ban, EPA is finally slamming the door on a chemical so dangerous that it has been banned in over 50 countries," Regan said.

"This historic ban is more than 30 years in the making, and it’s thanks to amendments that Congress made in 2016 to fix the Toxic Substances Control Act," the main US law governing the use of chemicals.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers, linked to more than 40,000 deaths in the US each year.

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