Honoring Legacy, Advancing Justice: ADAO’s 20th Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference at Mount Sinai

Future Environment Designs, Inc. (FEDTC) was honored to be invited to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s (ADAO's) 20th Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference (AAPC 2025), held at the historic Mount Sinai Hospital (fun fact: Angelo Garcia, III was born there) in New York City.  The conference was an extraordinary success—an inspiring gathering that honored frontline heroes, scientists, advocates, and policymakers who continue to advance asbestos science, prevention, and justice.  Their work, rooted in Dr. Irving Selikoff’s groundbreaking contributions, continues to guide ADAO's mission and strengthen its resolve.

Candlelight Vigil at 9/11 Memorial

This milestone year—two decades of ADAO’s leadership in education, advocacy, and community building—brought together a global network of experts and survivors committed to ending asbestos exposure and saving lives.  The conference shared life-saving information, reached new audiences, and deepened the collaborative spirit that has defined ADAO since its founding.

Linda Reinstein, Co-Founder & President of ADAO, declared: "On behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every attendee, speaker, honoree, presenter, volunteer, sponsor, and steadfast supporter who made this historic event possible."

A Legacy Honored: Dr. Irving Selikoff’s Enduring Impact

This year’s theme, “Building on Dr. Selikoff’s Legacy in Asbestos Science, Prevention & Justice,” paid tribute to the physician whose pioneering work exposed the dangers of asbestos and reshaped occupational health policy worldwide.  To commemorate this legacy, the conference proudly unveiled the 10th poster in "BADGES: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers," created by award-winning documentary photographer Earl Dotter.  Titled “Science. Prevention. Justice.”, the tribute honors Dr. Selikoff’s transformative influence and reaffirms everyone's commitment to continuing the critical work he began.

BADGES: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers

The program also included a moving remembrance of September 11, honoring those who lost their lives to asbestos-related diseases following that tragic day — a solemn reminder of the long-term consequences of toxic exposures and the urgency of prevention.

Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Advocates, Researchers & Community Leaders

ADAO’s annual awards ceremony recognized remarkable individuals and organizations whose contributions embody the spirit of their mission:

Alan Reinstein Award — John Feal, for his tireless advocacy for 9/11 first responders and dedication to securing justice for survivors.

Warren Zevon “Keep Me in Your Heart” Award — Danny Goldberg, for keeping public attention on asbestos victims through meaningful storytelling.

Saturday Keynote Address — The Honorable Gale Brewer, NYC Council Member for the 6th District, whose leadership continues to advance public health protections.

The Dr. Irving Selikoff Awards - Presented to three exemplary leaders in asbestos research and clinical innovation:

• Dr. Claudia Henschke
• Dr. David Yankelevitz
• Dr. Brad Black

Dr. Claudia Henschke & Dr. David Yankelevitz

Their groundbreaking contributions in detection, screening, and treatment continue to offer hope to patients and families.

Additional honors included:

• Tribute of Hope Award — Greg Russell
• Tribute of Unity Awards — Uniformed Firefighters Association & Uniformed Fire Officers Association
• Tribute of Inspiration Award — United Federation of Teachers

ADAO also paid tribute to Karen Grant, who was posthumously honored with the Alan Reinstein Award. Her powerful recorded message—shared courageously before her passing—left an indelible mark on all who heard her story.

Karen Grant

A Robust Academic Program: From Selikoff’s Vision to Today’s Innovations

Saturday’s academic program featured five comprehensive sessions, each tracing the evolution of asbestos science and policy from 1964 to the present:

1. From Then to Now – Selikoff’s Vision and Our Journey Forward - A sweeping overview of six decades of scientific discovery, regulatory shifts, and advocacy milestones.

2. Diagnosing and Treating Asbestos-Related Diseases - Experts from Mount Sinai and Memorial Sloan Kettering unveiled promising new treatment options and clinical trial advances that provide real hope for patients.

Andrea Wolf, MD, MPH, Director, NY Mesothelioma Program Professor, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

3. Prevention Is the Cure – Strategies for Exposure Reduction - Discussions ranged from 9/11 firefighter screenings to wildfire toxicity in Lahaina and Los Angeles, while also highlighting digital tools and innovative prevention strategies presented by Chris Carberg and Linda Reinstein.

David Prezant, MD, Chief Medical Officer for the FDNY

4. Dr. Irving Selikoff, Paul Brodeur, and Beyond - A critical examination of scientific suppression, transparency, and Paul Brodeur’s groundbreaking 1970 New Yorker exposé.  

5. Asbestos and the Law - A deep dive into the role of litigation in driving corporate accountability, protecting public health, and enabling justice for victims.

Nearly 40 distinguished experts from four countries enriched these discussions, making this one of ADAO’s most comprehensive programs to date.  ADAO's 158-page conference program, available online, reflects the depth, diversity, and rigor of this year’s content.

Global Access, Free for All

In keeping with ADAO’s commitment to health equity, this year’s conference will be accessible online at no cost.  Access to life-saving public health information should never be restricted—and we remain steadfast in ensuring that education reaches all who need it.

Conference session videos will be available on the ADAO YouTube Channel, allowing global audiences to learn from and engage with this important content.

Building Momentum for Change: ARBAN 2025

The program contains letters of support — not only for the conference but also for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act. Special thanks were given to:

• Senator Jeff Merkley
• Representative Suzanne Bonamici
• Representative Don Bacon
• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
• Collegium Ramazzini
• Olin Corporation

Their continued support demonstrates the growing national momentum toward comprehensive asbestos reform and the critical importance of achieving a long-overdue ban.

ADAO Donors and Sponsors

Donors and sponsors of the conference included:

• Platinum: Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP; Simmons Hanly Conroy, LLP
• Gold: The Gori Law Firm; Motley Rice LLC
• Silver: Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen

Linda Reinstein said: "Your generous support ensures that ADAO’s education, advocacy, and community outreach efforts remain free and accessible to the public. Your partnership fuels our mission to create a world free from asbestos exposure."

Looking Ahead: Renewed Strength, Shared Purpose

We would again like to thank Linda Reinstein and ADAO for inviting us and the members of the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) to the conference.  For someone who has attended our share of conferences, it truly was educational and eye-opening.  We have shared our experience, the hope, and the information we learned from the conference in our classes since September.  

As Linda Reinstein said: "The path toward an asbestos-free future is long, but with your support, your voices, and your unwavering dedication, we are closer than ever."

Join Us in Advancing Science, Prevention, and Justice

Though the 20th Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference has ended, the work does not end there.  Your voice, your engagement, and your advocacy are essential in driving the policy changes and public health protections our communities urgently need.

Stay connected with ADAO, share their resources, contact your lawmakers about ARBAN, and help us push for a future where no family suffers from preventable asbestos exposure.  Together, we can finish the work Dr. Selikoff began. 

Related Posts:

• EIA Joins Coalition in Strong Support of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025
• Still Not a #BanAsbestos: Over 40 Years in the Asbestos Industry and the Ongoing Fight for Real Change
• Chrysotile Asbestos Banned? More Like Certain Conditions of Use Will Be Eventually Banned!

Future Environment Designs’ Angelo Garcia III Named 2025 HERALD GreenBIZ Award Winner

 October 2025 — Future Environment Designs is proud to announce that Angelo Garcia III, Principal-Industrial Hygienist and Founder, has been selected as a recipient of the HERALD 2025 GreenBIZ Award, presented by HERALD Community Newspapers and RichnerLIVE.

The inaugural GreenBIZ Awards recognize Long Island companies and individuals leading the way in environmental sustainability and community impact. Mr. Garcia was chosen for his more than 30 years of commitment to improving environmental health and safety through education, advocacy, and industry leadership.

Under Mr. Garcia’s direction, Future Environment Designs has become one of Long Island’s premier providers of asbestos, mold, indoor air quality, and OSHA compliance training—empowering professionals to create safer and healthier workplaces across New York State and the tri-state region.

“It’s an honor to be recognized among Long Island’s sustainability leaders. For more than three decades, our mission at Future Environment Designs has been to make workplaces safer and communities healthier through education, training, and advocacy.  This award reinforces our belief that protecting the environment and protecting people go hand in hand.” - Angelo Garcia III, Principal-Industrial Hygienist, Future Environment Designs, Inc.

Award recipients will be honored at the GreenBIZ Awards Gala on October 29, 2025, at The Heritage Club at Bethpage, celebrating sustainability leaders shaping a greener, healthier future for Long Island.

Future Environment Designs, Inc. Celebrates 37 Years in Business With a New Program Called "After The Refresher"

On October 5, 1988, Angelo Garcia, III, founded Future Environment Designs, Inc. (FEDTC) as an indoor air quality consulting and training service to the facility management sector.  Since then, we have transformed the company into a provider of asbestos, mold, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance training.  That has enabled us to continue for 37 years, with plans to continue for at least another 13 years.  

Once we converted the company into a training company, we became completely focused on our Blue Ocean Strategy of separating our company from our competitors by including additional services in our training courses to meet our clients' needs.  Services like:

• supplying personal protective equipment (PPE),
• providing quantitative respirator fit testing,
• providing respirator medical evaluations, 
• our monthly Safety Suzy newsletter with content on asbestos, mold, indoor air quality, and occupational safety and health information, 
• our blog where we post items of interest and discussion, 
• our negative air app, 
• our air sampling charts, 
• our training library, 
• our partnership with SiteDocs, 
• and all of it found on FEDTC's website.

In keeping with our Blue Ocean Strategy, we are starting a program called "After the Refresher".  "After the Refresher" will consist of interviews and recordings with people who attended our refresher classes, where our attendees get to introduce themselves and we discuss some of the topics we covered in the refresher class.  As we develop this program, we hope to interview people at conferences and other events that have an impact on the asbestos, mold, and OSHA compliance business.

In our first episode above, we discussed the different items we are currently discussing in our asbestos refresher courses.  In our second episode below, we interviewed John Paciulli of Insight Environmental, Inc., on the new New York State Department of Labor fact sheet on asbestos surveys and how it would impact the asbestos and mold industries.  We also discuss issues regarding contamination assessments.

As we continue to develop these programs and services, we are looking forward to what the next 13 years have to offer.  When you watch these programs, please don't forget to subscribe to Future Environment Designs Training Center's YouTube Channel and hit the like button.  Thank you!

EIA Joins Coalition in Strong Support of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025

On September 16, 2025, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2025. This long-overdue legislation finally addresses what many of us in the asbestos and environmental industry have been fighting for decades: a complete ban on asbestos in all its forms.

Asbestos Pipe Insulation Properly Managed

The bill is named in honor of Alan Reinstein, a passionate advocate for asbestos awareness whose legacy continues through the tireless work of his widow, Linda Reinstein, and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).  If passed, ARBAN will eliminate all asbestos imports and uses, close the dangerous loopholes left by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) 2024 Risk Management for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos rule, and ensure that protections are permanent through law - removing the risk of judicial reversal.

J. Brent Kynoch, Managing Director of EIA

The Environmental Information Association (EIA), representing professionals across asbestos abatement and environmental remediation (Future Environment Designs, Inc. (FEDTC) is a proud member of EIA), has proudly announced its strong support for ARBAN. J. Brent Kynoch, Managing Director of EIA, stated:

“On behalf of the Environmental Information Association, I express our strong support for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025.  We greatly appreciate the continuing commitment of Congress to finally ban commercial asbestos—a toxic substance our members have worked tirelessly to help manage and remediate for decades.  With the passage of ARBAN, the United States will finally join nearly 70 countries that have already taken decisive action to protect public health.”

For those of us in the industry, the facts remain painfully clear: asbestos exposure has caused generations of suffering, disease, and death.  The scientific consensus is undeniable—there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.  Yet in 2025, asbestos remains legal in the United States.  ARBAN represents the first comprehensive solution that will finally align the U.S. with international public health standards and put an end to preventable asbestos-related tragedies.

Linda Reinstein of ADAO

Linda Reinstein, President of ADAO, powerfully reminded us:

“We have known for decades that asbestos causes suffering, disease, and death.  It is long past time to end the importation and use of all asbestos in the United States and put a stop to the preventable tragedies that have claimed far too many American lives.”

The legislation has already garnered strong early support from a broad coalition, including ADAO, the American Public Health Association (APHA), Environmental Working Group (EWG), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Center for Environmental Health (CEH), and EIA, among others.  These organizations represent public health advocates, labor unions, scientists, and industry experts who have all witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of asbestos exposure.

ARBAN would:

• Ban all asbestos — including all six recognized fibers, plus winchite and richterite
• Close regulatory loopholes left by EPA’s 2024 rule
• Ensure permanent protections through legislation immune to court reversal

With more than 40,000 Americans dying each year from asbestos-related diseases, the stakes could not be higher.  Passing ARBAN is not only about preventing illness and death today - it is about securing a healthier, safer future for workers, families, and communities across the nation.

As someone who has spent their career in the asbestos and industrial hygiene field, we cannot stress enough how critical this legislation is.  The United States has delayed for far too long.  It is time for Congress to act.   Contact your legislators today and urge them to support the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025.  Together, we can end asbestos use in the U.S. once and for all.

Related Posts:

• Still Not a #BanAsbestos: Over 40 Years in the Asbestos Industry and the Ongoing Fight for Real Change
• Chrysotile Asbestos Banned? More Like Certain Conditions of Use Will Be Eventually Banned!

September 11, 2001 – Honoring the Past, Protecting the Present: The World Trade Center Health Program

September 11, 2001, is a day that remains etched in all our memories. The tragic events at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, PA, changed our nation forever.  But beyond the immediate loss of life, another tragedy unfolded quietly in the months and years that followed - tens of thousands of responders, survivors, and community members began experiencing serious health problems directly related to their 9/11 exposure.

That’s why the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, managed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), is so critical. Established to provide medical monitoring and treatment, this program continues to serve those whose health was compromised by their bravery or simply by their presence in lower Manhattan during and after 9/11.  Today, more than 127,000 members are enrolled, including over 83,000 responders and 44,000 survivors.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is broader than many realize. You may qualify if you:

• Worked, lived, or went to school or daycare in the NYC disaster area between 9/11/01 and mid-2002.
• They were present in the dust cloud on 9/11.
• Performed rescue, recovery, cleanup, or related work at Ground Zero, the Staten Island Landfill, PATH tunnels, barge loading piers, the Pentagon, or Shanksville.

Even indirect roles—such as site security, administrative support, providing supplies, or working with the Medical Examiner’s Office—count toward eligibility.

Covered Health Conditions

The WTC Health Program recognizes and treats a wide range of certified WTC-related health conditions, including:

Top Health Conditions

• Respiratory diseases: asthma, chronic cough, sinusitis
• Digestive disorders: GERD, chronic acid reflux
• Mental health conditions: PTSD, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping
• Cancers linked to toxic exposures
• Acute traumatic injuries sustained during response work

Many survivors and responders still don’t realize their health issues—persistent cough, runny nose, chronic heartburn, or ongoing anxiety—may be related to their 9/11 exposure.

Top Cancer Certifications

Where to Get Care

The program offers treatment through Clinical Centers of Excellence (CCE) in the New York metropolitan area, and for those outside NY, through the Nationwide Provider Network (NPN). Benefits include medical monitoring, prescription coverage, mental health care, and treatment tailored specifically to certified WTC-related conditions.

Why It Matters

The work of the WTC Health Program isn’t just about honoring those who served or survived—it’s about ensuring that no one is left behind in their fight for health. With over 400,000 people estimated to have been affected by 9/11, the program remains a lifeline for many and a reminder that the impact of that day continues.

On this September 11, we honor those we lost, but we also reaffirm our commitment to care for those still living with the health consequences of that day. The WTC Health Program, guided by NIOSH, ensures that the promise made in the aftermath—that we would not forget—continues to be fulfilled.

Call to Action: How to Apply

If you or someone you know may qualify for the World Trade Center Health Program, don’t wait:

• Visit the WTC Health Program website to learn more.

• Review the eligibility checklists for survivors and responders.

• Apply online or download an application to begin the process.

Getting connected to the program can provide access to the care, monitoring, and support needed to manage 9/11-related health conditions—and ensure no one faces these challenges alone.

Previous Posts Regarding 9/11

Re-Post of our 20 Year Anniversary of 9/11, 10-Year Anniversary of the World Trade Center Health Program. Lesson Learned?

Its Been 15 Years Since 9/11. 4 Things We Have Learned!

The Toxic Clouds of 9/11

OSHA’s Proposed Asbestos Respirator Changes Raise Important Safety Concerns

As someone who has spent decades navigating the complexities of asbestos regulations, we recognize that clarity, practicality, and worker protection must be at the core of any regulatory update.  Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA's) recent proposal to revise certain respirator-related provisions within the asbestos construction standard (29 CFR 1926.1101) attempts that but it’s important for all of us in the industry to carefully evaluate how these changes impact worker protection, especially concerning respirator requirements.

Confusion about the 9/11 type of respirator/filter to wear

Three proposed changes stand out to us as potentially problematic:

1. Removing the HEPA Filter Requirement

For decades, HEPA filters have been the gold standard for respirators, protecting workers from asbestos fibers. The current OSHA standard mandates HEPA filters (P100 filters) on all powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators to ensure maximum filtration efficiency.

OSHA’s proposal to eliminate this specific HEPA filter requirement, citing updated National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certification standards (42 CFR part 84), raises questions.  While newer filter types may meet certification requirements, HEPA filters’ proven reliability and high filtration efficiency have been foundational in asbestos protection.

The risk here is that removing the HEPA filter mandate could lead to the use of less effective filters (N95s) or confusion over filter equivalency, ultimately compromising worker safety.  The asbestos hazard is too severe to accept any uncertainty about filter performance.

2. Replacing Supplied-Air Respirators with PAPRs

Current OSHA standards require supplied-air respirators (SARs) operated in pressure-demand mode with an auxiliary positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) backup for exposures exceeding 1 (one) fiber per cubic centimeter (f/cc).  The proposed change to this section would replace the specific respirator requirement (SAR/SCBA, with an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 1,000) with a requirement to provide a respirator with a minimum APF of 1,000.  That would include a full-face Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) and helmet/hood PAPR (having manufacturer test evidence to support an APF of 1,000).

For high-level asbestos exposures, this shift is concerning. Supplied-air respirators provide a higher level of protection against variable airborne fiber concentrations, and the SCBA backup is critical for emergency scenarios.  Moving to PAPRs risks lowering the safety margin in situations where asbestos concentrations spike unexpectedly.

Workers wearing PAPRs 

3. Replacing PAPRs with Full Facepiece APRs

Another change to the current standard includes providing a tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (APF 1,000) or a full facepiece, supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode, and equipped with either HEPA egress cartridges or an auxiliary positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) (APF 1,000) for exposure levels at or below 1 f/cc.  The proposed change would require employers to provide a respirator that has a minimum of an APF 50.  This would allow the use of a full-facepiece air purifying respirator (APR).  This is definitely not an increase in protection; it is a significant reduction of protection.

---

Why These Concerns Matter

Asbestos remains one of the most hazardous occupational exposures, with no safe level of exposure (according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).  Respiratory protection is the last line of defense when engineering and work practice controls cannot fully eliminate airborne fibers.

Standards must err on the side of maximum protection, not convenience or cost savings.  Removing the HEPA filter requirement, substituting SARs with PAPRs, and PAPRs for full facepiece APRs for high-exposure Class I asbestos work would reduce protection levels at a time when new asbestos exposures still occur daily, and there are questions about whether the current permissible exposure limit is low enough.

Respirator Protection Types

---

What Are the Key Changes?

Replacing Specific Respirator Types with APF-Based Selection: Instead of mandating exact respirator models, employers will select respirators that meet or exceed required APFs (e.g., minimum APF of 50 or 1,000, depending on exposure scenarios).

Removing Redundant Provisions: OSHA is proposing to eliminate duplicative language in asbestos standards that overlaps with general respiratory protection requirements, simplifying the rules without adding burdens.

Updating Filter Requirements: The current HEPA filter mandate for air-purifying respirators is being reconsidered because NIOSH’s certification has evolved, allowing other certified particulate filters that offer equivalent protection.  The fact is that asbestos is not like any other particulate.  Because of the aerodynamics of the fiber and the size of the fibers, which can cause disease.  N95s do not provide equivalent protection to a HEPA filter.

Training Requirements Streamlined: OSHA intends to reduce duplicative respirator training provisions, relying more on the general respiratory protection standard’s comprehensive training requirements.

Asbestos Training Class

What Is OSHA Seeking From the Public?

OSHA is actively requesting comments on several points, including: 

• Concerns about potential decreases in worker safety from these proposed changes. 
• Alternative approaches to respirator provisions.
• The practicality and frequency of employees requesting PAPRs.
• Whether removing certain asbestos-specific provisions might lessen protections.
• The appropriateness of lifting the prohibition on filtering facepiece respirators.
• Employers' experiences with duplicative training requirements.

Final Thoughts

We support OSHA’s goal to update asbestos standards to reflect advances in technology and reduce unnecessary compliance burdens. However, changes to respirator requirements must be grounded in solid evidence and prioritize worker health above all.

OSHA’s proposal is a critical opportunity for industry stakeholders to weigh in. We must ensure that any revisions do not erode decades of hard-earned protection for workers facing asbestos hazards.

---

If you work with asbestos or manage respiratory protection programs, we urge you to review OSHA’s proposal carefully and submit comments highlighting these concerns before the comment period closes on November 1, 2025.

Still Not a #BanAsbestos: Over 40 Years in the Asbestos Industry and the Ongoing Fight for Real Change

As we celebrate our country's 249th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, recent events have caused us to spend some time reflecting on 37 years of business, and 43 years in the asbestos industry where we started, what’s changed, and what hasn’t.  Back then, we relied on beepers, phone cards, and typewriters to keep the wheels turning.  New York City Department of Environmental Protection's (NYCDEP's) "Not an Asbestos Project Form ACP5s" had to be ordered and picked up at NYCDEP and were typed by hand.  Manuals were several inches thick, and navigating them required patience—and maybe a magnifying glass.  Today, we have digital manuals, searchable PDFs, online filing systems (see our Training Library), smartphones that connect us instantly, and ACP5s that are filed online.

Yet despite all the technology and efficiency, the core of our work hasn’t changed: workers still need respirators, still need to take showers after abatement, still need negative pressure in the containment area, and still need to wet materials to keep dust down.  The tools have evolved, but the risks and the protocols remain stubbornly the same.  And the biggest constant of all?  Asbestos is still here.  

Asbestos Pipe Insulation

When we first opened our doors, people told us the asbestos problem would be solved in 5 or 10 years.  That was the thinking at the time—because how could a substance so toxic, so dangerous, remain legal in any form? (see our blog post "Future Environment Designs Celebrates 30 Years in Business in October. What the heck is SNUR?").

The book we wrote after 30 years in business

Yet here we are, over 40 years later, and we’re still talking about it.  Not only has asbestos not been banned, but what we’re now calling a “ban” - specifically, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) Part 1 Final Rule on Chrysotile Asbestos - isn’t a ban at all.  In addition, the EPA plans to rewrite the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) rule on asbestos, leaving the ban’s status unclear (see Inside EPA).  

Cobbing Station with chrysotile asbestos

Let’s be honest: many of you probably read headlines like “EPA Bans Chrysotile Asbestos” and felt a wave of relief.  We did too—until we read the rule (see our blog post "Chrysotile Asbestos Banned? More Like Certain Conditions of Use Will Be Eventually Banned!").  The full title tells the real story:

“Asbestos Part 1 – Chrysotile Asbestos; Regulation of Certain Conditions of Use Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).”

That phrase—“Certain Conditions of Use”—should tell you everything. This isn’t a ban.  It’s a regulation of specific uses.  The media clearly needs a dictionary, because, by definition, a ban is to prohibit or forbid by legal means. That’s not what this rule does.

What the EPA has issued is a partial phase-out of chrysotile asbestos—one type of asbestos, in some uses, with long timelines, carveouts, and industry exceptions.

And it says nothing about the other types of asbestos: amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite, or the Libby amphiboles.  None of these are addressed.

Asbestos Display Museum of Natural History

Let’s look closer.  The rule is 40 pages long (starting on page 21970 of the Federal Register), but the actual regulatory section is?  Just five pages long—starting at page 22005. The rule addresses:

• Chrysotile asbestos diaphragms in the chlor-alkali industry

• Sheet gaskets in chemical production

• Oilfield brake blocks and gaskets

• Aftermarket automotive brakes and linings

• Other vehicle friction products

• Interim workplace controls

• Disposal

• Recordkeeping

Here’s the devil in the details:

• As of May 28, 2024, the manufacture and import of chrysotile asbestos for chlor-alkali diaphragms is prohibited.

• Use of those diaphragms? Not prohibited until May 28, 2029, and even then, with exceptions that allow use until 2036 at certain facilities.

• For sheet gaskets, there’s an exception for titanium dioxide production until May 28, 2029, and for the Savannah River Site until December 31, 2037.

• Aftermarket brake parts and gaskets can still be used if already installed, even though we know from studies (including those on auto mechanics) that exposure during repair work is dangerous.

And if that’s not enough to make you question the strength of this so-called “ban,” remember the Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) issued in 2019. That rule allows companies to petition the EPA for permission to resume using asbestos in dozens of legacy products, including:

• Roofing felts

• Vinyl-asbestos floor tiles

• Electrical paper

• Sealants and coatings

• Beater-add gaskets

• Millboard

• Adhesives

• And more

Think about it: if these materials come back into use, every project involving them will need asbestos inspection and possible abatement. The asbestos abatement industry might never go away—and while that might sound good for business, it’s a horrifying thought for public health.

We find it troubling that while the EPA is creating tighter exposure standards—like their Interim Existing Chemical Exposure Limit (ECEL) of 0.005 f/cc, which is 20 times more protective than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA's) current limit—they’re simultaneously allowing asbestos to linger in commerce for another decade or more.

In 2021, the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) prepared an expert opinion for the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) on the scientific evaluation of occupational exposure limits for asbestos

Even their respirator guidance underscores the danger.  EPA is requiring supplied air respirators for exposure levels that OSHA still considers acceptable. That speaks volumes.

Supplied Airline Respirator

And while the EPA sets these rules, they’re also challenging them.  Under pressure from industry, the agency recently filed a motion to reconsider its own chrysotile asbestos rule, which will delay full implementation for at least 30 months.  That would be a massive setback.

In 2009, we interviewed Linda Reinstein on asbestos for my show, Keeping Your Family Safe 

Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), called it what it is: “a move that puts lives at risk.”  Listen to her at Reinstein Notebook “EPA’s Motion & Trump’s Administration Consideration of an Asbestos Ban Reversal”.

Here’s the thing: asbestos kills 40,000 Americans a year. This isn’t just about regulation—it’s about life and death.  And that’s why we support ADAO’s fight to pass the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN). This legislation would prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution of all forms of asbestos in commerce. Period. No loopholes, no exceptions.

We urge you to tell Congress to act. The ADAO has made it easy—use this link to contact your Representatives and Senators and demand a true, complete ban.

---

Tags: #BanAsbestosNow #ChrysotileMyth #EPARegulations #AsbestosKills #SNUR #TSCA #ARBAN #PublicHealth #AsbestosAbatement #ADAO #37YearsStrong #EnvironmentalJustice #AutoMechanicsAtRisk