[News] EPA ruling to ban chrysotile asbestos

On March 18, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; Washington, DC, USA) revealed that it was banning chrysotile asbestos for all of the purposes for which the chemical continues to be used in the USA. Chrysotile or white asbestos is the only type of asbestos still in production. “The science is clear. There is simply no safe level of exposure to asbestos”, declared Michael Regan (EPA), in a press conference announcing the decision. “With today’s ban, EPA is finally slamming the door on a chemical so dangerous that it has been banned in over 50 countries”, he added.