EPA Seeks Additional Information to Protect Americans from Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos
EPA's top priority is protecting people from the serious health risks of asbestos, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. To deliver protections that are strong, effective, and built to last, EPA is seeking additional public input to develop a durable Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulation for legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos, non-chrysotile and chrysotile asbestos fiber types, and asbestos-containing talc ("asbestos part 2").
EPA evaluated these materials in our 2024 Risk Evaluation. Exposure risk arises whenever asbestos-containing materials are disturbed — during renovation, demolition, or repair — which is precisely where EPA is focusing its data collection. Gathering real-world information directly from workers, building owners, states, Tribes, industry, and communities allows EPA to target protections where people are actually exposed and to build a rule that holds up when challenged, so those protections take effect and stay in place.
TSCA section 6(c)(1)(C) authorizes EPA to adjust the TSCA section 6(c)(1)(A) proposed rule deadline for chemicals like asbestos when additional information is necessary to propose the rule. EPA finalized the asbestos part 2 risk evaluation in December 2024. EPA will propose the asbestos part 2 risk management rule by June 3, 2027, so that EPA can gather the exposure information needed to make those protections as strong and defensible as possible. EPA is requesting information on activities that disturb asbestos-containing materials (including work by self-employed individuals), use of legacy products such as construction materials, and air-sampling methods and laboratory capabilities. These data will strengthen the rule's exposure and economic analyses — clarifying who is exposed, how often, under what conditions, and the costs and benefits of potential actions. The Agency will accept responses in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2025-0036 until Aug. 24, 2026.