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 automobile friction merchandise, and different gaskets imported into america
The proposed rule would rectify a 1991 court decision that largely overturned the EPA’s 1989 ban on asbestos and considerably weakened the company’s authority to cut back dangers to human well being from asbestos or different current chemical substances, the EPA stated.
“Right now, we’re taking an necessary 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 stated in an company news release. “This historic proposed ban would defend the American individuals from publicity to chrysotile asbestos, a recognized carcinogen.”
Asbestos is banned in additional than 50 nations 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 at the moment imported into america is used solely by the chlor-alkali chemical trade.
Chlor-alkali chemical substances are utilized in quite a few sectors of the U.S. financial system and in consuming water remedy, which makes use of chlorine manufactured by means of the chlor-alkali course of.
There are options to asbestos-containing diaphragms for chlor-alkali vegetation. Using 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 sorts and makes use of of asbestos, together with its use in talc and talc-containing merchandise.
Extra info
The U.S. Environmental Safety Company has far more on asbestos.
SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Safety Company, information launch, April 5, 2022
