Ten states in the U.S. and Washington, DC, have sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten oversight rules on the use of asbestos and reduce its risk to the public. The EPA has previously denied a petition by the states to collect more data on the cancer-causing material used for decades in industries such as construction and auto parts manufacturing.
A link to the deadly cancer mesothelioma in the 1970s stopped many companies from using asbestos, a versatile mineral widely used for fireproofing and insulation, but an outright ban was never implemented. Congress amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 2016 to create a process for regulating the substance, which is still allowed in limited uses by federal law.
“There’s too much at stake to let the EPA ignore the danger that deadly asbestos poses to our communities, including to workers and children,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington comprise the list of states who have joined the lawsuit.
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What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is among the most fire-retardant and fire-resistant materials ever discovered. The incredibly versatile substance was also found to be highly toxic, with a direct link to the formation of mesothelioma and other deadly cancers.
For decades, asbestos was used in a wide range of products and is still used in many products. Asbestos exposure is a risk is such industries and occupations as:
- Automobile manufacturing and repair
- Construction
- Insulation
- Railroads
- Sheet metal
- Shipyards
Products to have historically contained asbestos include:
- Asbestos Cement
- Asbestos paper and millboard
- Blankets protecting hot water pipes
- Boiler insulation materials
- Brake lining for cars and trucks
- Ceiling tiles
- Electric insulation
- Fabrics that resist heat
- Flooring tiles
- Insulation in walls and attics
- Pipe insulation
- Protective clothing
- Shingles
- Siding on houses and commercial structures
- Spray-on fireproofing
- Vinyl tiles used for floors
- Wall panels and attic insulation
- Wallboard joint compound
Attorneys Specializing in Asbestos and Mesothelioma Matters
For more information, contact the mesothelioma and asbestos litigation specialists at Cooney & Conway today toll free at 800-322-5573 for a free consultation.