Asbestos – What is it?
White asbestos, also known as chrysotile, is the most commonly used form of asbestos and made up 95% of all asbestos used in the United States. Despite being banned in over 50 countries, asbestos was still being imported into the U.S. for use in roofing materials, textiles, cement, chlorine manufacturing, and automotive parts such as brake pads, clutches, and gaskets.
Useful or Harmful?
Although asbestos was once valued for its strength and heat resistance, it is now well-documented as a serious health hazard. Exposure to asbestos can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
The Asbestos Ban
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), is responsible for regulating and assessing the risks of hazardous chemicals, including asbestos. In 2016, the EPA found that asbestos continued to have “unreasonable risks”. Due to these realizations the EPA proposed an asbestos ban, ending the production, use, and manufacture of asbestos.
A significant move on March 18, 2024 was made when the EPA issued a nationwide ban on the use, manufacture, and import of asbestos. EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated, “The science is clear – white asbestos is a known carcinogen that has severe impacts on public health. That’s why EPA is so proud to finalize this long-needed ban on ongoing uses of asbestos.”
The Reconsideration – After Asbestos Ban
As of June 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency is reopening the rule of the asbestos ban for review. 1 year after the asbestos ban was put in place, the EPA plans to reconsider certain parts. These including:
- The ban on importing and using asbestos in the production of chlorine
- Restrictions on installing new asbestos-containing sheet gaskets in chemical manufacturing and related industries
This reconsideration of asbestos ban comes from the EPA believing the asbestos ban may have been “beyond what is necessary”. This revision could take up to 30 months. In the meantime, the review of the white asbestos ban could halt the current enforcement. This means within the next few years the ban on white asbestos will be ineffective.
The asbestos ban review could lead to a reversal or loosening of restrictions where companies could resume importing and using white asbestos in select industrial applications, despite its well-known health risks. This has raised public health concerns, particularly from environmental and health advocacy groups who fear this could undermine years of progress toward eliminating asbestos exposure.
Need Help With Asbestos Exposure?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact the Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000, fill out our contact form, or utilize our chat feature. The firm’s experienced mesothelioma attorneys are ready to provide the legal support needed to pursue justice and compensation for those affected by asbestos exposure.
Sources
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/us/epa-trump-asbestos-ban-delay.html#
