EPA Revisits Asbestos Ban Amid Health Concerns

In a surprising shift that contrasts with initiatives aimed at improving public health, the Trump administration has disclosed its intention to reevaluate the ban on asbestos, a substance known to cause cancer.

Previously, during Biden's presidency, the Environmental Protection Agency initiated measures to prohibit the use of chrysotile asbestos, commonly known as 'white asbestos.' Despite its declining usage, chrysotile asbestos still finds its way into numerous products such as gaskets, brake components, automotive parts, and certain industrial diaphragms critical for producing chlorine and sodium hydroxide.

The EPA's decision placed the United States among over 50 nations that have prohibited asbestos, citing its severe health implications. The mineral is notoriously linked to diseases like lung and ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and cancer of the larynx. As per EPA's data, asbestos exposure could be attributed to more than 40,000 American deaths annually.

"Scientific consensus confirms asbestos as a carcinogen with dire public health ramifications," noted Michael Regan, who served as the EPA administrator during the ban's implementation. President Biden recognized the extensive impact of this issue across generations and committed to ending its use.

Resistance and Reassessment

Despite being a long-sought victory in public health circles, the ban included provisions allowing corporations several years, up to 12, to eliminate asbestos from their products. Legal challenges from various industries, coordinated by entities like the American Chemistry Council, quickly emerged following the EPA's announcement.

The Trump-era EPA announced its plan to revisit this regulation, anticipating the review would last around 30 months, and proposed halting ongoing litigation while reevaluation occurs. A statement backing this review was issued by Lynn Ann Dekleva, a new deputy assistant at the EPA, formerly employed outside governmental roles.

Concerns were prevalent that the Trump administration might revoke the ban, as President Trump indicated strong support for asbestos use. In his 1997 book, he described asbestos as 'entirely safe' and attributed its negative image to organized crime, suggesting that mafia-linked firms often handled asbestos removal activities.

Trump's endorsement of asbestos has been well-received in nations like Russia, one of the U.S.'s principal suppliers of the mineral. In 2018, a Russian company marketed its asbestos products with a label declaring them 'Approved by Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States.'