The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been studying the current risks of asbestos to the public and environment. It focused on chrysotile asbestos, in particular. The EPA shared its findings in the Final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos.
The EPA determined chrysotile asbestos presents unreasonable risks to the public. All six uses studied by the agency were deemed unreasonable risks. Now, the EPA must take action for risk management. To begin this process, it held a webinar open to public comment.
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Once unreasonable risks are identified, they must be addressed. Unreasonable risks may be to the public and/or to the environment.
Risk management is a requirement under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The TSCA aims to regulate newly introduced chemicals or chemicals already in use. Asbestos falls under this act and is subject to risk management requirements.
There are several ways the EPA can address risk management. It may require labeled warnings for consumers, or, it may extend to a complete ban. The EPA stresses the importance of input from key stakeholders when making final decisions.
The EPA will address unreasonable risks to the public through all six uses of chrysotile asbestos. The sixes current uses of chrysotile asbestos under scrutiny are:
To target the risk of these uses, the EPA may prohibit, limit, regulate or restrict:
The EPA may also:
The range of options varies greatly. Since the late 1970s, the dangers of asbestos have become more and more well-known. After 1979, restrictions were placed to limit asbestos use in the United States. However, any amount of exposure is dangerous and could lead to asbestos illnesses.
Several organizations and individuals have called for a full asbestos ban. The EPA held a public webinar in early February 2021: Risk Evaluation and Risk Management for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos under TSCA Section 6. During this webinar, participants were invited to share a short comment.
Those who chose to comment came from a variety of backgrounds. Some spoke on behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). Another spoke from the chlor-alkali industry.
Most individuals shared strong concerns about asbestos risks. They felt the EPA has not adequately identified the risks of asbestos. They also felt the only acceptable method of risk management was a complete ban. Concerns apply not only current uses of asbestos, but also legacy uses.
The EPA will review risk management options. It will also consider public comments and input from key stakeholders.
The EPA then must issue a TSCA section 6(a) rule. This comes after its risk evaluation and unreasonable risk findings. It must issue the rule within two years, with:
Advocates for an asbestos ban urge the EPA to take action quickly. Asbestos exposure continues to cause thousands of mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths in the United States, each year. Stricter asbestos regulations, and an asbestos ban, could help improve incidence and mortality rates. Test External Link A.