U.S. Bans the Last Type of Asbestos Still in Use

The Biden administration on Monday finalized a ban on the only type of asbestos still used in the United States, the first time since 1989 the federal government has moved to significantly restrict the toxic industrial material.

The regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency would prohibit the use, manufacture and import of chrysotile asbestos, which has been linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of some internal organs.

Chrysotile is the only raw form of asbestos known to be currently imported, processed or distributed for use in the United States. Known as white asbestos, the mineral is used in roofing materials, textiles and cement as well as gaskets, clutches, brake pads and other automotive parts. It is also a component in diaphragms used to make chlorine.

In some ways, the ban is a weaker version of a proposal the agency announced in 2022, which would have required a two-year phaseout for most commercial uses.

The final rule would require the ban on imports to begin as soon as the measure comes into force. But it would allow up to 12 years for companies to phase out the use of asbestos in manufacturing, depending on the facility. The change followed lobbying efforts by companies, such as the Olin Corporation, a major chemical manufacturer, as well as trade groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chemistry Council.

It would remain legal to import other types of asbestos, but companies would be required to notify the E.P.A. beforehand and the agency would have the authority to deny those imports.