By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed rule to ban all manufacturing, processing, importation and commercial distribution of six categories of products containing chrysotile asbestos, which covers all of its current uses in the United States.
This includes sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings and other vehicle friction products. Chrysotile asbestos is the only known form of asbestos currently imported into the United States.
Almost 70 countries have banned asbestos, and its use in the United States has been declining for decades. In 1989, the EPA attempted to block most uses of asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act, but a federal appeals court overturned the rulemaking two years later. The proposed prohibition of asbestos use in brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes and linings, other vehicle friction products and other gaskets for commercial use would take effect 180 days after the EPA issues a final rule.
For more information, contact Caroline Fletcher at carolinef@sema.org.