What Asbestos-Containing Materials are Banned?
Companies that mine or have previously mined for asbestos have made large investments after turning it into asbestos-containing materials. The employees of these companies, including their families, have inhaled significant concentrations of asbestos fibers and over a period of time many lives have been lost. What to do about mining for asbestos and where to draw the line are questions that are difficult to answer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tried to ban asbestos-containing materials (ACM) entirely by establishing a ban in 1989. The asbestos-producing companies sued to have the ban overturned and they succeeded in 1991 when the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals revoked the ban. After this ruling, the ban was reduced to just six types of ACM, which included the manufacturing, importing, processing, or distribution of those six in commerce.The six types of ACM banned in the United States include: • Flooring Felt • “Commercial paper” – used in thin barriers for insulation
