If you go back a few decades in American history, asbestos was very common. It was often used in tile and insulation. It had many positive qualities when used in building materials, such as the fact that it doesn’t burn. It was added to many products, and both builders and homeowners considered it safe.
However, it became clear that it was not safe when people started to develop asbestos-related disorders. The most serious of these is a type of cancer called mesothelioma. It has a long latency period, so it could take decades for the disease to develop. But when it does, it has a high fatality rate.
As a result, most asbestos products have been banned since the 1970s and 80s. Modern tile and installation will not contain it. However, although many people think asbestos isn’t being used at all anymore, it is actually still being imported and used in the United States. The EPA actually just issued a new ban on asbestos earlier this year.
What is it used for?
The type of asbestos still in use is known as chrysotile asbestos it’s often used in brake blocks, sheet gaskets, diaphragms, aftermarket automotive brakes, vehicle friction products, automotive linings and other types of gaskets. In these high-friction environments, its resistance to heat is still beneficial.
The new ban will phase out these use cases. It will not happen right away. For instance, asbestos is still being used in sheet gaskets and can be used for two years after the EPA‘s latest ruling. With brake blocks and other such products, the industry has just six months to adhere to the new rule. In some cases where asbestos is used with radioactive materials, it can still be used until 2037.
With this wide variety of bans and different timelines, it is very important for business owners to understand all of their legal obligations and the way that the laws can change.