HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay Information) — A proposed rule to ban ongoing makes use of of the one recognized type of asbestos imported into america has been launched by the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA).
The ban would apply to chrysotile asbestos, which is thought to trigger most cancers and is present in merchandise like asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, different car friction merchandise, and different gaskets imported into america
The proposed rule would rectify a 1991 courtroom choice that largely overturned the EPA’s 1989 ban on asbestos and considerably weakened the company’s authority to scale back dangers to human well being from asbestos or different current chemical compounds, the EPA mentioned.
“As we speak, we’re taking an vital step ahead to guard public well being and at last put an finish to the usage of harmful asbestos in america,” EPA administrator Michael Regan mentioned in an company information launch. “This historic proposed ban would defend the American folks from publicity to chrysotile asbestos, a recognized carcinogen.”
Asbestos is banned in additional than 50 international locations and its use in america has been declining for years. Most shopper merchandise that traditionally contained chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued in america, and uncooked chrysotile asbestos presently imported into america is used solely by the chlor-alkali chemical business.
Chlor-alkali chemical compounds are utilized in a variety of sectors of the U.S. financial system and in ingesting water therapy, which makes use of chlorine manufactured by means of the chlor-alkali course of.
There are alternate options to asbestos-containing diaphragms for chlor-alkali crops. The usage of alternate options, particularly membrane cells, accounts for nearly half of the nation’s chlor-alkali manufacturing, in line with the EPA.
The company can also be evaluating different varieties and makes use of of asbestos, together with its use in talc and talc-containing merchandise.
Extra data
The U.S. Environmental Safety Company has far more on asbestos.
SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Safety Company, information launch, April 5, 2022
