What Asbestos Is Banned in the U.S.?

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals historically used in products such as roofing materials, cements, floor tiles, patching and spackling compounds, brake pads and lining, toasters and other heat-related household products, and furnaces and furnace doors. A common misconception persists that all asbestos use is banned in the United States; however, some asbestos-containing products are still allowed. An asbestos lawyer helps people harmed by asbestos seek the compensation they deserve.

Why Is Asbestos Dangerous?

Asbestos exposure can lead to the development of several different types of cancer, including mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, most instances of mesothelioma involve asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure has also been directly linked to lung cancer and throat cancer, and it is thought to increase one's risk for gastrointestinal, colorectal, kidney, bladder and brain cancer. Several occupations involve high risk of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related disease.

A person can develop an asbestos-related illness years-even decades-after being exposed to asbestos, making it important for people with known asbestos exposure to undergo regular cancer screenings as recommended by a healthcare professional. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can help asbestos victims seek the compensation to which they may be entitled.

Banned Asbestos

In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling banning most asbestos-containing products in the United States. In 1991, however, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the EPA regulation. Thus, only previously banned asbestos remained banned, in addition to new asbestos use, that is, products that have not historically contained asbestos. After the court's ruling, asbestos in the following products remained banned, as established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission during the 1970s:

• Flooring felt
• Rollboard
• Corrugated, commercial or specialty paper
• Products such as spackling compounds, tape joint compounds and others mixtures used by consumers to patch or seal cracks, holes and other imperfections in drywall and similar surfaces
• Decorative simulated ashes or embers placed under artificial logs

In addition to the above, under the Clean Air Act, spray-applied surfacing materials containing asbestos cannot be used for fireproofing, insulting or decorative purposes, wet-applied and pre-formed asbestos pipe insulation cannot be used, and pre-formed asbestos block insulation cannot be used on boilers and hot water tanks. In addition, spray-applied materials containing more than 1% asbestos cannot be applied to buildings, structures, pipes or conduits, unless the material is encapsulated with a bituminous or resinous binder and is not friable after drying.

Individuals who were exposed to the above asbestos-containing products before they were banned remain at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. If you experience health problems that may be attributed to asbestos exposure, a dedicated asbestos attorney can help.

Allowed Asbestos

• Troweled-on surfacing materials containing asbestos
• Asbestos-cement corrugated sheet and asbestos-cement flat sheet
• Asbestos clothing
• Pipeline wrap
• Roofing felt
• Vinyl-asbestos floor tile
• Asbestos-cement shingle and asbestos-cement pipe
• Millboard
• Automatic transmission components
• Clutch facings
• Friction materials
• Disc brake pads
• Drum brake linings
• Brake blocks
• Gaskets
• Non-roofing coatings and roof coatings

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your case today.