Many in the global clinical and research community reacted with horror to the June 18, 2025, news that the Trump administration was requesting that the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) should “reconsider” the country's ban on chrysotile asbestos. This ban had been previously enacted under the Biden presidency in 2024. Arguing that the … [Read more...]
The global burden of mesothelioma and its association with asbestos bans, 1990–2021: a population-based study
Background: Mesothelioma, as a lethal consequence of asbestos exposure, poses a significant threat to high-risk populations. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 update provides an opportunity to examine current mesothelioma epidemiology and assess whether asbestos bans have effectively reduced mesothelioma incidence over a longer time span … [Read more...]
The U.S. banned asbestos, but its health impact will still be felt for decades
A new rule announced by the Environmental Protection Agency this week puts an end to the use of asbestos, a known carcinogen, in the United States. But researchers caution that we’ll likely still be dealing with the mineral’s public health harms for decades. The recently announced ban covers all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile asbestos, … [Read more...]
US Bans Sole Type of Asbestos, Parts Industries Still Import
The US will ban the only type of raw asbestos fiber known to be imported to the country [(chrysotile asbestos)] as part of a broader rule that also will ban all known uses of the cancer-causing mineral and imported equipment made with it, top EPA and White House officials announced on Monday. Many people are shocked to learn asbestos isn’t … [Read more...]
EPA Asks for More Public Input on Asbestos After ProPublica and Others Reveal New Information
The Environmental Protection Agency took an unusual step last week: It opened a new period in which the public can comment on its proposed asbestos ban. The agency had gotten new information, officials said, including a series of ProPublica reports on dangerous working conditions in factories that use asbestos to make chlorine. Asbestos has been … [Read more...]