Do Asbestos Bans Really Protect Public Health?
Because asbestos is fire-resistant, manufacturers use asbestos in building materials, clothing, and anything fire retardant. We’ve known about the dangers of asbestos exposure since the early twentieth century, but it wasn’t until 1989 that the EPA issued a ban on most asbestos-containing products. The U.S. didn’t ban asbestos mining in the United States until 2002. Despite tighter restrictions, manufacturers still use asbestos in some products. In the first quarter of 2022, the U.S. imported more than 114 metric tons of raw asbestos.
Asbestos Bans and Limitations
More than
60 countries
have banned the use of asbestos. Progress in the U.S. is slow, but in 2019, New Jersey became the first state to ban the sale of any products containing asbestos. But does banning or restricting the use of asbestos really protect public health? The answer is yes. Asbestos-related cancers are increasing worldwide, but countries with historically low levels of asbestos use have significantly fewer cases of asbestos-related health risks.
Asbestos and Asbestos-Related Health Conditions
In May of 2022, the Asbestos Disease Research Institute published a study indicating the importance of a worldwide ban on asbestos. Their study shows country-by-country data on how continued use of asbestos will increase asbestos-related disease and increase the burden of asbestos-related health care costs.While asbestos bans have stalled, as countries continue to decrease their use of asbestos, people will continue to experience other types of asbestos exposure. Exposure can happen through:
- Environmental Exposure: This exposure can happen in areas near asbestos mining, transportation, or manufacturing industries that release asbestos fibers into the air or water, exposing neighboring communities.
- Para-exposure: Families and roommates can experience second-hand asbestos exposure when they live with someone who works in an asbestos-exposed industry.
- Natural Exposure: Because asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, people can still face natural exposure. For example, in Turkey, one small town had homes constructed with rock that contained asbestos, leading to exposure in the community.
While asbestos exposure will continue to happen, regulations and bans can do much to decrease rates of asbestos-related disease in our communities. While the EPA proposed a ban in the U.S. that would begin in 2024, whether our government will heed scientific warnings remains to be seen.
Hire a Skilled Attorney
You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or another chronic asbestos-related health condition after asbestos exposure. Call the Madeksho Law Firm at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your consultation is free, and you don’t pay any fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
