National Asbestos Legislation

How Does Legislation Regulate Asbestos in the U.S.?

Both federal and state laws regulate asbestos in the U.S. Most industrialized countries have enacted a national ban on asbestos, but America has not banned asbestos, nor does it have a comprehensive federal law that regulates asbestos.

Instead, federal and state laws work together to regulate asbestos use, abatement and litigation. Federal laws apply nationwide and mostly affect how asbestos is used in products. Federal attempts to limit asbestos litigation have failed so far. 

State asbestos laws tend to be similar regarding abatement, but asbestos litigation laws vary by state. For example, some states have enacted legislation limiting a claimant’s access to compensation for sickness, loss of life and loss of wages.

Federal laws were passed to create compensation systems for other types of claimants. For example, the Black Lung Benefits Act created a federal program for U.S. coal miners. A similar federal program was proposed through the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2006, but the legislation failed.

Working with specialized mesothelioma lawyers provides the best chance for compensation for people harmed by asbestos.

What would you like to see happen with asbestos regulation? 1:00

History of Asbestos Use & Legislation

U.S. EPA 2019 Final Rule on Asbestos

On April 25, 2019, the EPA issued a final rule on the Restrictions on Discontinued Uses of Asbestos. It originated with a Significant New Use Rule on asbestos, which the agency announced in June 2018. According to the EPA, a Significant New Use Rule requires notice to the agency before chemical substances are used in new ways that might create concerns.

This final rule closes a loophole in asbestos regulations. It reportedly ensures that discontinued uses of asbestos cannot re-enter the market without an agency review for potential risks to health and the environment. The review may result in regulation or prohibition. 

The agency provided the following list of discontinued asbestos products that would require a review under the new rule.

Most of these potential uses are construction materials.

The EPA said the final rule does not provide a pathway for formerly banned asbestos products to become legal.  

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019

Introduced in March 2019, the bill aimed to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to fully ban asbestos in the U.S. The legislation would have prohibited the manufacturing, processing and distribution of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

The bill advanced from a House subcommittee on Nov. 19, 2019, but it did not receive a vote thereafter and died in Congress. No other federal legislation to ban asbestos has been introduced since. 

Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency Act of 2017

One of the biggest threats to those unfairly injured by asbestos exposure was the Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency Act, also known as the FACT Act. The bill died in Congress because it never received a vote.

It would have required asbestos trusts to publicly disclose information about the settlement terms between trusts and claimants. Current federal laws consider these negotiations private and confidential.

The act also would have put personal information of claimants, including the last digits of their social security number, in a public database. 

As of 2021, a total of 16 states have enacted asbestos trust fund transparency laws similar to the FACT act. 

Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act of 2008

Introduced in Congress in September 2008, the bill aimed to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to ban more types of asbestos products.

The bill would have permitted a few uses of asbestos such as in the production of chlorine and lye.  It would have revised the definition of asbestos to include winchite, richterite and other asbestiform amphibole minerals. 

It also aimed to increase public awareness of the health effects of asbestos exposure. The bill never received a vote and died in Congress.

Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007

Multiple versions of the Ban Asbestos in America Act were introduced in Congress during the past decade. The most recent version, introduced in 2007, never became law.

The bill would have authorized the EPA to issue more regulations banning the importing, manufacturing, processing or distribution of asbestos products. It also would have allocated money for research into asbestos-related diseases and require the agency to report to Congress on recommendations for protecting human health from asbestos exposure.

Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2006

The Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act, also known as the FAIR Act, is Congress’ most comprehensive effort to address compensation for claimants. Federal lawmakers have introduced multiple versions of the bill in the U.S. House and the Senate during the past decade.

The FAIR Act never became law.

Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994

The U.S. Bankruptcy Code was amended in 1994 to allow companies with significant asbestos liabilities to seek bankruptcy protection for future claims.

These amendments were sometimes called the “Manville Amendments.” The provisions provided an option for manufacturers such as the Johns Manville Corporation to file for bankruptcy. The company had been sued many times and faced more liabilities in the future.

The 1994 amendments were modeled after the Manville Trust. They established a way for the companies to settle future claims through the creation of special bankruptcy trusts.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986

This law ordered the EPA to monitor asbestos in schools. It established regulatory standards for inspections and proper abatement of asbestos in schools.

The agency requires all public and private school systems to inspect facilities for asbestos. It requires schools to develop plans for containing and removing asbestos. The agency also provides guidelines and technical assistance to help school districts.

Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) gave the EPA the power to regulate new commercial chemicals. It also granted power to regulate existing materials such as asbestos that pose unreasonable health or environmental risks.

The agency attempted to use this authority in 1989 by banning most asbestos-containing products. This was known as the Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule. It would have prohibited manufacturing, importing, processing and distributing most asbestos products.

However, a group of interested corporations successfully challenged the rule in court. A 1991 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit eventually rejected much of the rule. Some products were banned under the agency’s rule, but most remained legal.

This was the EPA’s biggest and last attempt at a full ban on asbestos products. Prior to this action, the agency banned several different types of asbestos products under the Clean Air Act of 1970.

In December 2020, the agency issued a final risk evaluation on chrysotile asbestos. The evaluation found unreasonable risks to workers, consumers and bystanders for the ongoing use of asbestos in gaskets, oilfield brake blocks, asbestos diaphragms, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings and other vehicle friction products.

Without a comprehensive ban on all asbestos products, continued use of the following asbestos-containing products remains legal in the U.S.

The agency is currently evaluating the risks presented by legacy asbestos products that remain in older buildings and homes. It will also assess risks associated with the disposal of old asbestos-containing materials. 

Medical Device Amendments of 1976 

In 1976, the Medical Device Amendments to the Pure Food and Drugs Act of 1906 aimed to provide assurance about the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. It created regulatory pathways for new medical devices and established good manufacturing practices.

The amendments also authorized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban devices. It allowed the administration to ban the use of asbestos-containing filters in pharmaceutical manufacturing, processing and packaging.

Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972 

Enacted in 1972, the Consumer Product Safety Act aimed to protect consumers against unreasonable risk of injury from hazardous products.

It established the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has the authority to develop standards, issue recalls and ban products. 

In 1977, the commission used its authority to ban asbestos in artificial fireplace embers and wall patching compounds.

Clean Air Act of 1970

The Clean Air Act required the EPA to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. The regulations are known as National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, or NESHAP. 

Asbestos was first identified as a hazardous air pollutant under this law. Amendments to the act resulted in several U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations governing the use and disposal of asbestos.

It gave the agency the authority to ban certain asbestos products.

Although asbestos is still used in certain products, its identification as a pollutant has helped reduce use.

The history of asbestos legislation in the U.S. is riddled with controversy, cover-ups and political and corporate interests.

People injured by asbestos have advocated for their rights. They work hard to implement regulations that might protect future workers.

But it’s been an uphill battle. Companies interested in using asbestos continue to influence governmental policies and there is currently no asbestos ban in the U.S.

Common Questions About Legislation

Has mesothelioma legislation been passed?

In 2018 Congress passed the Right to Try Act or Public Law 115-176, which the president then signed. Its full title is “An act to authorize the use of unapproved medical products by patients diagnosed with a terminal illness in accordance with State law, and for other purposes.”

As the FDA explains: “The Right to Try Act permits/allows eligible patients to have access to eligible investigational drugs.”

To be eligible, a patient must be diagnosed with a life-threatening condition and have already tried approved treatments. The patient must also be ineligible for clinical trials of investigational drugs.

Drugs that qualify within Right to Try must have completed a phase I clinical trial, but the FDA has not yet approved or licensed it for any use. An application must be filed with the FDA or be under investigation with the FDA.

If you’re interested in Right to Try, speak with your doctor.