New EPA Asbestos Regulations in Place After Federal Ban

New EPA asbestos regulations were enacted Monday after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a comprehensive ban on the carcinogenic product.

The asbestos EPA regulation changes specifically ban chrysotile asbestos, the only type of asbestos still imported and used in the U.S. and most recently used to make products like chlorine bleach, brake pads, gaskets, and more. It was also commonly used in homes built before 1980 and may still be found in the insulation, roof, flooring, and other areas of older houses. The new rule expands on asbestos restrictions that were put in place in 2016 through amendments to the nation's chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 

According to the EPA, ending its use moves forward the goals of President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot, a federal initiative to end cancer.

What Are the Dangers of Asbestos?

The main danger of asbestos is that it can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer, and other asbestos-related health problems, the EPA said. It’s been linked to more than 40,000 deaths in America each year and has already been banned in more than 50 countries. The agency said the new EPA asbestos regulations are a major improvement for public health.

“The science is clear—asbestos is a known carcinogen that has severe impacts on public health. President Biden understands that this concern that has spanned generations and impacted the lives of countless people. That’s why EPA is so proud to finalize this long-needed ban on ongoing uses of asbestos,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in a news release Monday. 

“Under the President’s leadership, EPA has been working expeditiously to put the nation’s chemical safety program back on track and finally realize the protections of the 2016 law. This action is just the beginning as we work to protect all American families, workers, and communities from toxic chemicals,” said Regan.

What Is Chrysotile Asbestos Used In?

Accounting for 99% of current world asbestos production, chrysotile, or “white” asbestos, is the most common asbestos found in the U.S. Until the late 1970s, white asbestos was used in many home materials, including insulation, roofing shingles, textured paints, flooring, piping, and pipe and duct wrap. Although it hasn’t been used in home-building materials for several decades, it could still exist in older homes.

Most recently, white asbestos has been used in several automotive products, including asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, vehicle friction products, and various other types of gaskets. It’s also used in the manufacturing of chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide. 

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Asbestos? 

If you’re worried your home may contain asbestos, rest assured that there are professionals you can call to help with asbestos. You can hire a local asbestos removal company to safely and efficiently remove asbestos from your home. The cost to remove asbestos averages around $2,200, but most often ranges from $1,200 to $3,250 depending on the amount of asbestos and the space’s size. 

But there is a wide range of what you'll pay. Some asbestos-related jobs can run as low as $250 for the cost of asbestos testing, while whole-home remediation can run as high as $15,000