Asbestos Regulations
Asbestos regulations have been established in the United States, but the country has never gone so far as to ban the toxic mineral entirely. Unfortunately, all proposed laws have failed even though diseases caused by asbestos exposure continue to surface.
It’s not that the dangers of asbestos aren’t known. The difficulty with outright stopping the use of asbestos is that there is no sweeping national law which addresses the issue. Rather than being dealt with at the federal level, asbestos regulations have largely been left in the hands of individual states. The United States has faced criticism for neither banning asbestos, or having a system in place that would compensate individuals affected by asbestos exposure.
The dangers of asbestos were first brought to attention after a series of lawsuits were filed in the 60’s and 70’s. Workers afflicted with asbestos-related exposure symptoms sought compensation, and sued the manufacturing companies they worked for. After the widespread issues related to asbestos exposure became publicly known, some action was taken in the 80’s. In the 1980’s there was legislation put in place related to asbestos abatement. Abatement involves removing asbestos from buildings that contain the toxic mineral.
Asbestos Regulations… Or Lack Thereof
The latest effort to ban asbestos in the United States was back in 2007 when Senator Patty Murray sponsored the Ban Asbestos in America Act. The proposed act unfortunately died in congress. In 2009 the same senator sponsored a bill that eventually led to September 26th being recognized as National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Senator Murray continues to champion the cause for greater asbestos regulations in the US.
The US is currently lagging behind 55 other countries who have banned the use of asbestos. Instead, the US has put policies in place designed for the safer use of asbestos. To date, the US also does not have federal regulations that would see individuals be compensated for sickness, death, or loss of income resulting from asbestos exposure.
Currently, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) are the two federal agencies in charge of enforcing asbestos abatement legislation. The EPA and OHSA have been largely responsible for the progress made in the US with respect to asbestos abatement.
With asbestos regulations in the US falling short of banning the mineral, the best way to protect yourself from asbestos exposure is through due diligence. Start with learning what the regulations are in the buildings where you work, live, and where your children go to school. The building manager should be able to provide you with this information upon request.
Until asbestos is officially banned in the United States, you can’t be absolutely sure you’re not at risk of exposure. If you suspect high levels of asbestos in your home, work, or elsewhere; you can be absolutely sure whether or not you’re at risk with an asbestos testing kit. The long-term effects of prolonged exposure can be severe, don’t be caught unaware! Get your own asbestos testing kit and know what you are working with.
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