The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States said that using asbestos is now illegal.
Because it has been linked to many types of cancer, asbestos is a material that is used in many things. It is a thin, brittle substance that is found naturally in the world. It is bendable and doesn’t rust. Since asbestos is a cheap mineral, many products use it. However after scientists proved that the tiny fibers were linked to cancer, companies stopped using them in their products.
Chrysotile asbestos is the only type of asbestos that is still used in things like aftermarket brakes and some seals for cars. People in the United States don’t use asbestos as much as they used to, but it is still linked to about 40,000 deaths each year.
The EPA was pleased with the change and noted in a message that it was a “major milestone for chemical safety after more than three decades of inadequate protections and serious delays during the previous administration.”
EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “The science is clear: asbestos is a known carcinogen that has serious effects on public health.” He also said that the ban was necessary. This is an issue that has affected many people’s lives for many generations, and President Biden knows that. That’s why the EPA is so happy to have finally put an end to the long-needed use of asbestos.
Companies have until a certain date to stop using asbestos and come up with another material to use instead. There are different amounts of time for each business to change the stuff. Some have a few months to do it, while others have a few years.
The Environmental Protection Agency also said that they would keep people safe during the year-long phaseouts, but some people may still be exposed. The government says this rule is “long overdue.”
