Asbestos Regulations and Safety Standards:
The dangers associated with occupational asbestos exposure are familiar to most of us. Prior to the 1970s, American manufacturers widely utilized asbestos in various products, ranging from insulation, automotive brakes, drywall, talcum powder, and even pajamas. Although the regulation of asbestos in the United States has been slow and not entirely comprehensive, numerous federal laws and regulations have since been established to govern the usage of asbestos and ensure the safety of workers who may come into contact with it.
Major Asbestos Regulations
Regulations from several U.S. agencies aim to prevent asbestos exposure at work, in homes, and in schools and establish limits and safety standards for workers. Agency that have established asbestos regulations include:
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Mine Safety and Health Administration
These regulations cover essential health and protective measures such as:
- How and when manufacturers can use asbestos
- Asbestos use in schools
- Worker protection rules
- Emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants
- Hazardous substances reported under Superfund regulations
- Exposure limits for workers
- Standards for construction involving asbestos
- Consumer protection bans on asbestos-containing products
- Exposure limits and regulations for workers in mines above and below ground
Major Laws Regulating Asbestos
Some of the major laws now regulating asbestos use include:
- The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA):
- AHERA is part of the Toxic Controlled Substances Act and ordered the EPA to create a wide range of asbestos-related regulations, including everything from inspecting schools to creating asbestos management plans.
- The Asbestos Information Act (AIA):
- AIA requires companies to report certain types of asbestos-related products to the EPA and provides consumer transparency by identifying these manufacturers.
- The Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA):
- This law created funding for school asbestos abatement loans and grants and increased accreditation training for abatement projects.
- The Clean Air Act (CAA):
- The CAA required the EPA to set emissions standards for hazardous air contaminants, including asbestos.
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA):
- The SDWA allows the EPA to set standards for drinking water and contaminants, including asbestos.
- The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA):
- CERCLA is also known as the Superfund law, enacted to deal with abandoned hazardous waste sites in the U.S. Asbestos is a contaminant covered by CERCLA.
Hire an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
If you or a loved one are grappling with the repercussions of asbestos exposure, remember that you're not on this journey alone. If you've been exposed to asbestos and received a cancer diagnosis related to it, there might be compensation available for you. Please reach out to us at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or connect with us through our online form. There is never a charge to talk with us and we've been helping victims of asbestos exposure since 1972.
