EPA Proposes New Rule on Asbestos Reporting
The rule would require certain companies to report information to the EPA.
The EPA is proposing a new rule on data collection of asbestos.
According to a press release, the rule would require certain manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products or mixtures to report data on “quantities of asbestos manufactured or processed, types of use, and employee data.”
The EPA and other agencies would then use this data to make decisions, including those about risk evaluation and management.
If passed, the rule would require data to be electronically submitted nine months from the effective date.
“Strong data and the best available science are the foundation of our work to protect communities from hazardous chemicals like asbestos,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, Michal Freedhoff in the press release. “Getting a more comprehensive and complete set of data on how and where this chemical is used is part of EPA’s broader effort to evaluate the health risks from asbestos and, when needed, put protections in place.”
Comments are open to the public until June 5, 2022 on regulations.gov, docket number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0357.
This proposed rule is just one of the many actions the EPA is proposing to reduce the risk and exposure of asbestos to the public. In April, another rule was proposed to ban the only imported form of asbestos.