U.S. EPA ISSUES PARTIAL ASBESTOS BAN
In March 2024 the U.S. EPA finalized a new rule than bans the use and import of chrysotile asbestos. The rule also bans six products that they are aware of that contain asbestos and have been imported into the United States recently. According to the EPA, chrysotile is the only form of asbestos currently used in or imported into the United States.
Smaller quantities of chrysotile have been imported into the United States in recent years in amounts varying from 41 tons to 305 tons per year, according to information on the U.S. Geological Survey web site. Chrysotile asbestos was imported into the U.S. as recently as 2022 for use by the chlor-alkali industry, which makes asbestos diaphragms to make sodium hydroxide and chlorine, used to disinfect drinking water and wastewater. This industry will have 5 years to phase out the use of asbestos diaphragms.
The new rule also prohibits manufacture (including import), processing, distribution in commerce, and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos for six categories of chrysotile asbestos-containing products: asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets. The ban on asbestos diaphragms and sheet gaskets takes effect 2 years after the rule was finalized. The ban on oilfield brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets for commercial use takes effect 180 days after the rule was finalized.
The EPA press release can be seen here:
Other forms of asbestos, including amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite, are not banned. Other types of potential asbestos containing products, such as vinyl flooring, adhesives, caulk, and cement products, are also not banned.
Previous EPA and Consumer Product safety Commission rules have banned some paper products, wet applied and pre-formed pipe & block insulations, general use garments (except clothing that prevents thermal injuries), artificial fireplace ash and embers, and consumer patching compounds.