EPA Finalizes Risk Evaluation for Legacy Uses of Asbestos

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The evaluation confirms that asbestos, including chrysotile and five additional asbestos fiber types, poses an unreasonable risk to human health, especially from legacy uses and disposals.

Asbestos and Its Legacy Risks

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction, manufacturing, and various industrial products throughout the mid-20th century. Products like floor and ceiling tiles, pipe wraps, and insulation, many of which contain asbestos, are considered "legacy uses" because manufacturing and processing of these materials have ended, but the asbestos may still be present in older buildings and materials.

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, such as during demolition or renovation, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. If inhaled, these fibers can lead to serious health conditions, including asbestosis (a chronic lung disease) and various cancers, such as mesothelioma (cancer of the abdominal lining), lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and laryngeal cancer.

EPA’s Findings and the Need for Further Action

Under the previous administration, the EPA narrowed its risk evaluation to ongoing uses of asbestos, excluding legacy uses and associated disposal. However, in 2019, a court ruling required the agency to reconsider these legacy uses, leading to the supplemental Part 2 risk evaluation. The final report now includes chrysotile asbestos and other fiber types—crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite, Libby amphibole asbestos, and asbestos-containing talc. EPA has determined that legacy uses of asbestos, particularly in buildings and products that were not properly disposed of, significantly contribute to the unreasonable health risks posed by asbestos.

At-Risk Populations and Exposure Scenarios

EPA’s evaluation highlights that the highest risk of exposure is faced by workers regularly handling asbestos-containing materials, such as construction workers involved in demolition or renovation. First responders, like firefighters, may also be at risk as emergency situations can disturb asbestos materials. Family members of workers may also face exposure from asbestos brought home on clothing.
However, EPA emphasizes that people living or working in buildings with intact, undisturbed asbestos-containing materials are not at risk, as long as the materials are not disturbed. For example, students in older schools or workers in such buildings will not face health risks unless the materials are disrupted.

Environmental Risk and Next Steps

The EPA has determined that asbestos does not pose an unreasonable risk to the environment. Moving forward, the agency will begin the risk management process to address the unreasonable risks associated with legacy asbestos uses and disposals. A proposed rule under TSCA Section 6 will be released to protect the public from these risks.
EPA's continued efforts aim to ensure that asbestos no longer poses a significant threat to human health, particularly from legacy exposures.