Tens of thousands of Americans die each year from asbestos-related diseases
Toxic-Free Future agrees it is a good step forward but urges EPA to ban all asbestos to protect people from its deadly effects
WASHINGTON, DC—This morning, EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced a final rule banning chrysotile asbestos, one of six harmful asbestos fibers found in the U.S. EPA’s action is being taken under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). With 40,000 people dying in this country every year from asbestos-related diseases, Toxic-Free Future calls this an important step forward, but noted that there is still much more work to be done to protect the public from this notoriously toxic substance.
“EPA’s announcement today is a long overdue, important step forward, but it is one step in a longer journey to protect us from this highly dangerous toxic substance,” said Liz Hitchcock, director of Safer Chemicals Healthy Families, a program of Toxic-Free Future. “For the sake of the families who have lost loved ones and the workers and communities still exposed to the deadly effects of asbestos, we urge EPA and the U.S. Congress to keep working to ban the use, manufacture, and import of all six asbestos fibers.”
RESOURCE: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization FAQ
TOXIC-FREE FUTURE
Toxic-Free Future is a national leader in environmental health research and advocacy. Through the power of science, education, and activism, Toxic-Free Future drives strong laws and corporate responsibility that protects the health of all people and the planet. www.toxicfreefuture.org
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