Asbestos, once widely used for its durability and heat resistance, has been under increasing scrutiny for decades due to its severe health risks. Despite this, some industries in the United States continued to use it, putting employees at risk. A landmark decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2024 bans the last form used in the US, bringing the nation closer to no longer using asbestos.
In this article, we’ll explore what asbestos is, the diseases it causes, the industries that have historically used it, and the implications of the recent EPA asbestos ban.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals made of thin, needle-like fibers. Due to its resistance to heat, electricity, and corrosion, asbestos was used in numerous industries, from construction to manufacturing.
For millennia, asbestos was seen as a miraculous material with appealing qualities. For instance, it was added to fabrics, pottery, and plaster walls and even made its way into the implements of warfare. Asbestos fibers were woven into suits of armor to serve as insulation, and by wrapping bags of pitch in asbestos, knights could stop them from going into flames before they were catapulted at enemy targets.
The discovery of the severe health risks linked to asbestos has led to a significant decline in its use over the years. Asbestos exposure has been recognized as the cause of several life-threatening diseases for many decades now, leading to strict regulations and bans worldwide.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Diseases
Exposure to asbestos fibers is strongly linked to several serious health conditions that can be categorized into malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous) diseases.
Malignant diseases include the following.
- Mesothelioma is an especially deadly cancer that most commonly affects the lining of the lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). Asbestos exposure is by far the leading cause of this disease, with fibers embedding in these linings and eventually causing cancer.
- Asbestos-caused lung cancer develops in the tissue of the lung itself (the lung parenchyma). Exposure to asbestos alone significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
- Esophageal cancer, especially adenocarcinoma, develops in the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach.
- Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that begins in the colon or rectum, both of which affect the large intestine.
- Ovarian cancer can develop in one or both ovaries, as well as the fallopian tubes. Exposure to asbestos is especially linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer among women who used asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.
Common benign asbestos-related diseases are listed below.
- Asbestosis is a chronic respiratory disease that is marked by fibrosis (i.e., thickening, scarring, and eventual hardening of the lung’s connective tissue). It may lead to severe shortness of breath and become life-threatening.
- Pleural effusion is the abnormal buildup of fluid between the layers of the pleura, thin membranes that line the lungs and the chest cavity.
- Pleural plaques are thickened areas on the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura.
Workers Most At-Risk of Asbestos Exposure
During the decades of peak asbestos use, several groups of workers faced significant risks from asbestos exposure due to their roles and the environments in which they worked. Some of the most at-risk groups include auto mechanics, boilermakers, construction workers, factory and plant workers, firefighters, insulators, laborers, plumbers and pipefitters, sheet metal workers, and sprinkler fitters.
When Asbestos Was Banned in the US
On March 18, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a ban on the last type of asbestos still used in the United States. The ban prohibits importing, processing, and distributing chrysotile asbestos, aligning the US with over 50 countries that completely ban asbestos. This action protects families, workers, and communities from the harmful effects of this carcinogen and represents a significant step toward a safer future.
Phasing Out the Use of Asbestos
As required by law, there is a reasonable transition period. The final rule reflects a compromise between the EPA and the American Chemistry Council (ACC). It acknowledges that converting chlorine facilities from asbestos diaphragms to non-asbestos technology requires parts from limited suppliers, additional permits, extensive construction, and specialized expertise.
Eight chlor-alkali plants use asbestos diaphragms to make the chlorine and sodium hydroxide necessary for water purification. Over time, they’ll transition to using non-asbestos diaphragms or non-asbestos membrane technology. Six facilities must complete this transition within five years, and the remaining two will follow. The complete phaseout will occur within twelve years.
The rule also says there is a two-year phaseout for most asbestos-containing sheet gaskets. Those used to produce titanium dioxide and process nuclear material will be banned in five years.
Seek Justice With Reputable Asbestos Lawyers
Even though asbestos will be completely banned in the US within twelve years, the health effects of this ban will take time to become fully apparent. Mesothelioma, in particular, has a long latency period, often between 10 and 50 years, meaning symptoms will not appear until decades after exposure.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, reach out to the expert attorneys at the O’Brien Law Firm. Our reputable asbestos lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process, seek justice, and secure the compensation you deserve.
For a FREE case evaluation, contact us online or give us a call at (314) 588-0558!