EPA Proposes Restrictions on Asbestos Use:
Many people don’t know that asbestos is still commonly used in the U.S., despite being banned in more than 60 countries globally, including China. Asbestos exposure can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lining of the lungs and internal organs. There is no cure for mesothelioma, treatment options are limited, and sadly, it often can’t be diagnosed until decades after exposure.
Asbestos in America
Asbestos is a soft, pliable mineral and was once commonly used in many materials because of its heat-resistant properties. Manufacturers incorporated asbestos into construction materials, auto parts, fire retardant clothing for firefighters, and even pajamas. If materials containing asbestos break down through erosion, fire, flood, or time, the lightweight fibers can enter the air or water, where people can inhale or ingest them.While the U.S. tried to restrict the use of asbestos in the 1980s, and asbestos is no longer manufactured in the U.S., manufacturers still import it. Asbestos is linked to approximately 40,000 deaths annually, many from mesothelioma.
Proposed EPA Regulations
In a step forward, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new regulations banning the use of one type of asbestos. Under the newly proposed regulations, the EPA would prohibit importing and manufacturing “white asbestos,” also known more formally as chrysotile asbestos. Chrysotile is the type of asbestos linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other chronic health conditions.Under current asbestos regulations, chrysotile is the only type of raw asbestos that manufacturers can import into the U.S. It’s commonly used in brake pads, gaskets, and other auto parts. While manufacturers will still be permitted to import other forms of asbestos, they must notify the EPA before importing any product known to contain asbestos fibers. The EPA will then have the authority to deny these imports.
You Need Skilled Legal Advice
You may be entitled to compensation if you or someone you love faces a mesothelioma diagnosis after asbestos exposure. The experienced lawyers at the Madeksho Law Firm can help. Call us at 1-888-910-MESO (6376) or contact us online. Your first consultation is free, and you won’t pay anything unless we recover money on your behalf.
