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Assessing and Managing Chemicals under TSCA
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Risk Evaluation for Asbestos

General Information for Asbestos

CASRN: 1332-21-4

Risk Evaluation Initiated: December 2016

Docket: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0501; EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0736

Staff Contact: Peter Gimlin
gimlin.peter@epa.gov

Phone: (202) 566-0515

EPA evaluated asbestos under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and completed the final risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1: chrysotile asbestos in December 2020. Subsequent to publishing the final part 1 risk evaluation for asbestos, EPA agreed to publish a final part 2 of the risk evaluation for asbestos by December 1, 2024, that would cover legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos. EPA published the draft scope for part 2 of the risk evaluation for asbestos in December 2021. EPA is also moving forward on risk management actions for part 1.

On this page:

  • Background on/Uses of Asbestos
  • Risk Evaluation for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos 
  • Prior EPA Actions on Asbestos

On other pages:

  • Risk Evaluation of Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation
  • Learn EPA's actions to protect the public from exposure to asbestos including a partial ban and a rule to ensure products that are no longer on the market can't return without EPA's review.
  • Find information about other chemicals undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA. 
  • Learn about risk management for chrysotile asbestos.

Background on/Uses of Asbestos

Although there are several known types of asbestos, the only form of asbestos known to be imported, processed, or distributed for use in the United States is chrysotile. Raw chrysotile asbestos currently imported into the U.S. is used exclusively by the chlor-alkali industry. Based on 2019 data, the total amount of raw asbestos imported into the U.S. was 100 metric tons. Certain asbestos-containing products, like sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products, and other gaskets are also imported into the U.S.

Risk Evaluation of Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos 

In December 2020, EPA released part 1 of the final risk evaluation for asbestos. Part 1 of the final risk evaluation shows that there are unreasonable risks to workers, occupational non-users, consumers, and bystanders from 16 out of 32 conditions of use. EPA found no unreasonable risks to the environment. As with any chemical product, EPA strongly recommends that users carefully follow all instructions on the product’s label.

  • Read the final risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1: chrysotile asbestos

In March 2020, EPA released the draft risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1 for public comment and peer review. 

  • Read the draft risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1.

  • Learn more about the peer review for asbestos.

Prior EPA Actions on Asbestos

In June 2017, EPA released the scope document for the risk evaluation for asbestos part 1, which included the hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations EPA expected to consider in its risk evaluation of asbestos conducted pursuant to TSCA section 6(b). In June 2018, EPA released the problem formulation for the risk evaluation for asbestos part 1, which refined the scope of the asbestos risk evaluation by clarifying the chemical conditions of use that EPA expected to evaluate and describing how EPA expected to conduct the evaluation.

  • Read the problem formulation for the risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1.
  • Read the scope document for the risk evaluation for asbestos, part 1 and the supplemental files.

After releasing the scope documents for each of the first 10 chemicals undergoing risk evaluation under TSCA, the dockets for each of these first 10 chemicals were open for public comments. Read EPA’s Responses to Public Comments Received on the Scope Documents for the First Ten Chemicals for Risk Evaluation under TSCA. This document addresses cross-cutting public comments received in response to the scope document.

  • Assessing and Managing Chemicals under TSCA Home
    • How EPA Evaluates the Safety of Existing Chemicals
    • Prioritizing Existing Chemicals for Risk Evaluation
    • Risk Evaluations for Existing Chemicals
    • Risk Management for Existing Chemicals
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Last updated on April 5, 2022