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.

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?

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.

It's always interesting to see which cities are considered safe and dangerous in the US. It can also be helpful if you're planning a big move. Now, there's a new study out that pinpoints the most dangerous cities in America.

The new study comes from Noradarealestate.com. In it, they say, "From gang violence to high levels of property crime, these cities have earned their spots on the list." Yikes.

Before we get to the crime in each region of the country, let's look at some of the No. 1s in this study. According to Noradarealestate.com, the "FBI's most dangerous city" in the West is Stockton, California. In the Midwest, it's St. Louis, Missouri. Then, in the South, it's Baltimore, Maryland; and in the Northeast, it's Hartford, Connecticut. Noradarealestate.com notes that even though these cities are dangerous in the report, "each of these cities has also demonstrated resilience and a commitment to addressing these issues through various initiatives and collaborative efforts. By focusing on community engagement, comprehensive strategies, and investment in socio-economic development, these cities can work towards creating safer, more inclusive, and prosperous communities for all residents." So, it's not all dismal. There is definitely hope.

So, what's the most dangerous city in America? Detroit. "The violent crime index, encompassing homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults, is alarmingly high," the study states. "The prevalence of guns and gang activity further exacerbates the issue, making Detroit a concerning place in terms of personal safety." That said, I love Detroit, and even though it's good to see which cities are trending up and down in terms of crime, remember that every city has its good and bad areas. So, don't write these towns off your list because of one study. Find the full study from Noradarealestate.com here.

Check out the most dangerous cities in America by region below, via the latest FBI data.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Stockton, California, with a population of 308,348. Other cities in the top five include San Bernardino, California; Oakland, California; Anchorage, Alaska; and Pueblo, Colorado. Find the full FBI data here.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Baltimore, Maryland. Other cities in the top five include Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Nashville, Tennessee; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Find the full FBI data here.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is St. Louis, Missouri. Other cities in the top five include Kansas City, Missouri; Rockford, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find the full FBI data here.

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Hartford, Connecticut. Other cities in the top five include Buffalo, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rochester, New York; and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Find the full FBI data here.