EPA Bans Cancer Causing Asbestos 5 Decades After Learning Its Faults
When it first hit the market, it was a miracle. Asbestos doesn’t catch fire, it doesn’t combust and it is strong! Hey, they should put asbestos in everything! Well they did and it turns out it can also give you cancer. Scientists figured that out in the late 1960s, pre-dating the Environmental Protection Agency. Well, the EPA has finally slammed the book shut on the final allowable form of the chemical – Chrysotile Asbestos.
The EPA Bans Asbestos Now?! How Did This Take So Long?
Believe it or not, the EPA has been trying to get rid of chrysotile asbestos – aka “white asbestos” – for decades. By the late 1970s, most products had asbestos out of its ingredient list. If you opened a wall and found asbestos inside of your home, the whole thing is getting sealed up for professionals to remove the stuff. It is that bad.
But this is America. Why do something that makes sense?
The EPA came out with the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule back in 1989. It was simple: no creating, using or importing the chemical or products with it. The asbestos industry tried – and succeeded – to get a court to overturn the ban. Because at the end of the day death is bad but what about profits?
What Was This Final Type Of Asbestos Used For?
Chrysotile asbestos is used in things like brakes on cars. High friction means high heat, and that means a fire risk. It is also used primarily in the creation of chlorine. Yeah, that stuff you use to clean your pool? Chances are it was made using asbestos. There are other ways to make chlorine, and now American plants will have to use those ways. Thankfully the resultant product does not cause cancer that we know of.
So long, asbestos! Nice knowing you. Cigarettes, we would like a word.