EPA To Investigate Health Risks Of Asbestos

Even though regulators have known for decades about the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, they have not banned this harmful mineral. Contact our skilled mesothelioma attorneys for a free legal consultation to find out your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis and do not recover compensation unless your claim has a favorable outcome. However, that might change soon after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in November that it would review its stance on asbestos by studying the risks of asbestos to human health and the environment. The EPA has the authority to ban asbestos and other substances it finds dangerous thanks to the recently passed Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The law gives the EPA more authority to perform safety investigations and regulate dangerous products. Many people may be shocked that asbestos was never banned, considering the fact that countless individuals who worked with asbestos have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

History Of Asbestos

Until the 1970s, asbestos was often used as insulation due to its superior fire retardant qualities. Companies in a variety of industries used this mineral, including the military, construction and shipbuilding. In the 1970s, the EPA banned spray-applied asbestos and the use of asbestos as insulation in pipes, hot water tanks and boilers. In 1989, an EPA ruling banned the use of asbestos in any form. However, the ruling was overturned in 1991 after a legal challenge from asbestos manufacturers and other proponents. Despite its link to mesothelioma, asbestos has never been entirely outlawed and is still used in some products. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you think it was caused by exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.