EPA Proposes to Ban Ongoing Uses of Chrysotile Asbestos under Section 6(a) of the Toxic Substance Control Act

On April 12, 2022, EPA published a proposed rule to ban ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos based on its unreasonable risk determination under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). In the 2020 final risk evaluation, EPA determined that there is unreasonable risk to workers, consumers, and/or bystanders. TSCA requires that EPA address the unreasonable risks by rule and to apply requirements to the extent necessary so that chrysotile asbestos no longer presents such risks.

To address the identified risks, the agency EPA is proposing to prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, distribution in commerce and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos for chrysotile asbestos diaphragms for use in the chlor-alkali industry, chrysotile asbestos-containing sheet gaskets used in chemical production, chrysotile asbestos-containing brake blocks used in the oil industry, aftermarket automotive chrysotile asbestos-containing brakes/linings, other chrysotile asbestos-containing vehicle friction products, and other chrysotile asbestos-containing gaskets. The agency is also proposing to prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of aftermarket automotive chrysotile asbestos-containing brakes/linings for consumer use, and other chrysotile asbestos-containing gaskets for consumer use. In addition, EPA is proposing disposal and recordkeeping requirements for these conditions of use.

Comments are due by June 13, 2022.

Read EPA’s proposal and submit comments.

Advocacy contact: Tabby Zeb at (202)798-7405 or send an email to tayyaba.zeb@sba.gov.