The first week of April is National Asbestos Awareness Week.
This is an important informational week because, although the use of asbestos in products has declined over the years, it wasn’t until last month that the United States fully banned its use.
On March 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently used in or imported to the United States. The ban on ongoing uses of asbestos is the first rule to be finalized under the 2016 amendments to the nation’s chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which received near-unanimous support in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
To repeat: Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) are still sold and used in the United States today – and will be until this new rule fully takes effect (effective dates vary by product category and use but may be as long as five to 10 years for some uses).
Because of this, ORCAA’s Asbestos and Demolition Notification program remains a health and safety requirement for individuals and businesses planning renovation or demolition projects.
Where can I find asbestos in my home?
Asbestos has been used in a wide range of manufactured goods and is still found in some building materials. Because the greatest risk of asbestos exposure comes when disturbing asbestos-containing materials, it is important to know potential locations of ACMs. The graphic below highlights some likely locations where ACM could be found.
