EPA Finds Asbestos Use Poses Risk to Chloralkali Workers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released an asbestos draft risk evaluation Monday that found serious health dangers to workers in the chloralkali industry, the country’s last remaining user of raw asbestos. There is an “unreasonable risk to workers, occupational non-users, consumers and bystanders” the EPA found when evaluating several asbestos products still being imported and used today. The draft risk evaluation was an initial review of asbestos by the EPA under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). “It is being disseminated for peer review purposes and is not final,” an EPA spokesperson told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “It is a draft, and may change.” A review of the draft by the EPA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals will take place April 27-30. Public review and comment is encouraged through May before any final determinations are made. The EPA will then have the option of proposing further regulations to prohibit or limit the manufacture, use, distribution, processing or disposal of asbestos. EPA Findings Could Threaten Chloralkali Industry The chloralkali industry, which has openly opposed the banning of asbestos, uses the product to manufacture semipermeable diaphragms for making chlorine. There are 11 chloralkali factories throughout the U.S., producing one-third of all domestic chlorine. Although preliminary, the EPA review is a serious threat to the industry. According to the latest U.S. Geological Survey Mineral...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news