03-25-2024, 06:46 AM
(03-23-2024, 12:14 AM)Maxmars Wrote: Years behind many other countries, and despite push-back from industry special interests, the US finally (and officially) bans most common asbestos.
The U.S. is prohibiting the use of chrysotile asbestos, joining more than 50 other countries that have already outlawed the substance. The ban comes after decades of pushback from companies that have used it in everything from consumer goods to manufacturing processes.
Of course, this is a ban born of American political "compromise" so don't get too excited. It's not a complete elimination of the known cancer-causing substance so cherished by the industry... and it won't be "immediate," nor will it mean anything like an 'admission of harm' by the companies who can't imagine a future without asbestos...
Producers will have five years to transition from using asbestos diaphragms to ones that don't contain the substance. Those that shift from asbestos diaphragms to non-asbestos membrane technology will have five years to convert their first facility, eight years to convert their second and 12 years to convert their third.
Form an article in NPR: The U.S. bans most common form of asbestos, after decades of pushback from industry
That is strange. As far as I know as an Environmental Chemist reporting data, my office will evaluate sites with asbestos and we are not allowed to let it be exposed and must properly dispose of it. So, I had no knowledge of any process that still used it. Hmmmm.
