This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68602748#1
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
The US just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long? | The US just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long? |
(2 months later) | |
The US has announced a ban on the only form of asbestos currently used or imported into the US, decades after most developed nations began phasing out the cancer-causing raw material. | The US has announced a ban on the only form of asbestos currently used or imported into the US, decades after most developed nations began phasing out the cancer-causing raw material. |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) move comes after it failed to ban asbestos over three decades ago. | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) move comes after it failed to ban asbestos over three decades ago. |
The carcinogen has already been banned by more than 50 countries. | The carcinogen has already been banned by more than 50 countries. |
It is linked to around 40,000 US deaths every year from lung cancer, mesothelioma and other cancers. | It is linked to around 40,000 US deaths every year from lung cancer, mesothelioma and other cancers. |
Use of the carcinogen has gradually declined over the years, but it still lingers as a construction material in millions of homes and buildings throughout the US. | Use of the carcinogen has gradually declined over the years, but it still lingers as a construction material in millions of homes and buildings throughout the US. |
Linda Reinstein, an anti-asbestos advocate for the last 20 years after her husband died following repeated exposure to the substance, says she broke down in tears after hearing about Monday's ban. | Linda Reinstein, an anti-asbestos advocate for the last 20 years after her husband died following repeated exposure to the substance, says she broke down in tears after hearing about Monday's ban. |
The US has for many years been "the poster child for not doing the right thing" when it comes to asbestos, she told the BBC. | The US has for many years been "the poster child for not doing the right thing" when it comes to asbestos, she told the BBC. |
She noted that the UK passed a ban on asbestos a quarter of a century ago. | She noted that the UK passed a ban on asbestos a quarter of a century ago. |
Mrs Reinstein says the US ban is more limited than anti-asbestos measures passed by all other countries. | Mrs Reinstein says the US ban is more limited than anti-asbestos measures passed by all other countries. |
"We're the only Western industrial nation not to completely ban asbestos," she told the BBC. | "We're the only Western industrial nation not to completely ban asbestos," she told the BBC. |
"What does that say about us as a country?" | "What does that say about us as a country?" |
Asbestos: The strange past of the 'magic mineral' | Asbestos: The strange past of the 'magic mineral' |
Asbestos: The strange past of the 'magic mineral' | |
On Monday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the ban applied only to chrysotile asbestos, also known as "white asbestos", the only type known to be imported for use in the US. | On Monday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the ban applied only to chrysotile asbestos, also known as "white asbestos", the only type known to be imported for use in the US. |
Industries still using white asbestos will have up to 12 years to phase it out of use. | Industries still using white asbestos will have up to 12 years to phase it out of use. |
White asbestos is resistant to fire and is still used by companies in the US to manufacture vehicle brakes, according to the EPA. | White asbestos is resistant to fire and is still used by companies in the US to manufacture vehicle brakes, according to the EPA. |
Some chemical companies also use it to make chlorine, which is in turn used to purify drinking water. | Some chemical companies also use it to make chlorine, which is in turn used to purify drinking water. |
But one expert told the BBC that several other types of asbestos are not covered by Monday's ban. | But one expert told the BBC that several other types of asbestos are not covered by Monday's ban. |
Brenda Buck, a professor of medical geology at the University of Nevada, told the BBC that the EPA announcement was a "bit of a baby step" in the effort to rid the US of asbestos. | Brenda Buck, a professor of medical geology at the University of Nevada, told the BBC that the EPA announcement was a "bit of a baby step" in the effort to rid the US of asbestos. |
White asbestos is "in general less hazardous" than five other types, she said. | White asbestos is "in general less hazardous" than five other types, she said. |
Dr Buck said her fear now is industries will switch to the other forms of asbestos that have not yet been banned by the EPA rules. | Dr Buck said her fear now is industries will switch to the other forms of asbestos that have not yet been banned by the EPA rules. |
The movement against asbestos picked up steam in the 1980s, as schools across the US began to remove it from buildings amid health fears. | The movement against asbestos picked up steam in the 1980s, as schools across the US began to remove it from buildings amid health fears. |
In 1989, the EPA attempted to ban asbestos after finding conclusive evidence of its dangers. But two years later a federal court struck down the prohibition. | In 1989, the EPA attempted to ban asbestos after finding conclusive evidence of its dangers. But two years later a federal court struck down the prohibition. |
The ruling found the EPA had failed to find the "least burdensome alternative" for firms that rely on asbestos, as required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). | The ruling found the EPA had failed to find the "least burdensome alternative" for firms that rely on asbestos, as required under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). |
In 2016, Congress overhauled the TSCA to remove the "least burdensome" language, paving the way for the EPA ban unveiled on Monday. | In 2016, Congress overhauled the TSCA to remove the "least burdensome" language, paving the way for the EPA ban unveiled on Monday. |
The US effort to ban asbestos stalled after President Donald Trump came to office in 2017, with his administration overseeing the EPA. | The US effort to ban asbestos stalled after President Donald Trump came to office in 2017, with his administration overseeing the EPA. |
In 2005 testimony to Congress Mr Trump, a real estate developer, had described asbestos as "the greatest fire-proofing material ever made". | In 2005 testimony to Congress Mr Trump, a real estate developer, had described asbestos as "the greatest fire-proofing material ever made". |
In a 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, he said the movement against the substance was being led by the Mafia, "because it was often mob-related companies that would do the asbestos removal" work. | In a 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, he said the movement against the substance was being led by the Mafia, "because it was often mob-related companies that would do the asbestos removal" work. |
In 2012, he tweeted that the World Trade Center would not have "burned down" in the 11 September 2001 attacks if its "incredibly powerful fire retardant asbestos" had not been removed. | In 2012, he tweeted that the World Trade Center would not have "burned down" in the 11 September 2001 attacks if its "incredibly powerful fire retardant asbestos" had not been removed. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Donald Trump | Donald Trump |
Asbestos | Asbestos |
United States | United States |
Cancer | Cancer |
Previous version
1
Next version