The EPA and Asbestos:
We hear about asbestos in the news all the time - generally as a warning about how exposure can lead to fatal conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, chest wall, abdomen, heart, or testicles. According to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, asbestos-related diseases cause almost 40,000 deaths annually in the US.While many countries have completely banned the use of asbestos, the United States does not. Asbestos hasn’t been mined or manufactured in the US since 2002, but asbestos is still imported and used in some products. According to the EPA, asbestos is still used in some auto parts, insulation, some construction materials like prefabricated cement and roof tiles and some specialized fire resistant clothing.In June of 2018, however, the Environmental Protection Agency changed the rules regarding asbestos. Proposing a Significant New Use Rule, or SNUR, the agency would begin reviewing applications for new uses of asbestos in consumer products. While the EPA is positioning this as a tougher rule, prohibiting industries from using asbestos in new products without informing the EPA, consumer advocates are alarmed that the change fails to consider the dangers from asbestos.Recently the EPA also announced that it will comprehensively change the way it evaluates many hazardous chemicals, including asbestos, under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The New York Times recently reported, that the agency will now evaluate the harm caused only by direct exposure to these chemical substances, rather than comprehensively evaluating all exposure from the air, water or ground. This means that the EPA will no longer consider contamination from improper disposal in deciding whether a hazardous chemical should be banned.If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of your occupational hazards, you may be entitled to compensation and assistance. For a FREE consultation, call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-MESO, or contact us here.
