Move Highlights How Lawsuits Improve Safety Measures in America
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the last remaining form of asbestos, specifically chrysotile asbestos, used in America has been prohibited, in a move that marks an important milestone for chemical safety.
“EPA has been working expeditiously to put the nation’s chemical safety program back on track and finally realize the protections of the 2016 law. This action is just the beginning as we work to protect all American families, workers, and communities from toxic chemicals,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.
How is Chrysotile Asbestos Used?
Chrysotile asbestos is found in automotive products like sheet gaskets and brake blocks. The use of the substance has been decreasing in the United States ever since the EPA first sought to ban some uses more than 50 years ago.
In addition, chrysotile asbestos is used in sodium hydroxide and chlorine, which serves to disinfect drinking water and wastewater. However, two-thirds of the chlorine produced in the United States is produced without asbestos, so transitioning away from the use of the chemical shouldn’t be difficult.
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What is Dangerous About Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure is known to cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and laryngeal cancer. Every year more than 40,000 deaths are linked to asbestos in the United States.
Why Is It Being Banned Now?
In 2016, Congress approved a sweeping bill that approved regulations on tens of thousands of toxic chemicals.
The rule banning asbestos chrysotile is a direct reaction to that result and it will be the first chemical banned under this law.
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The Impact of Lawsuits
While thousands of people are affected by asbestos every year, lawsuits on behalf of the victims have brought justice and accountability. When there is a public danger that hasn’t been eliminated, taking legal action is sometimes the best option available.
“Personal injury lawsuits and specifically the civil justice system really have not raised the cost of anything for people and in fact, when you look at it, in the long run, they’ve actually protected people,” says Andrew Abraham, a Partner at Keches Law. “So there’s seatbelts in cars because of personal injury lawsuits. There are all sorts of improvements in your house, in your clothing, in your food, in your medications that you take, in the cars that you drive in, the lawnmowers that you use, the snowblowers that you use have been made better and safer by personal injury lawsuits.”
Abraham says that while there are always people and companies that are looking to take advantage of people, personal injury lawsuits offer a way to defend yourself.
“It’s, unfortunately, a well-hidden fact that personal injury lawsuits, generally speaking, make us safer. Holding people that choose to violate safety rules accountable is very, very important to protect our society and protect our families,” he says.
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