In June 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced their intent to reconsider the agency’s previous ban on chrysotile asbestos, one of six types of asbestos still in use in the U.S.
While the EPA has not rescinded the ban outright, reopening the rule for review creates a legal pathway to weaken or roll back key protections. In the meantime, companies may continue importing and using chrysotile asbestos, despite its well-documented health risks.
This move comes just 1 year after the initial ban was finalized. Revisiting the ban undermines decades of work by public health advocates to protect Americans from exposure to asbestos and the diseases it causes, like mesothelioma.
The EPA review would “move the nation backward, once again putting lives at risk,” said Linda Reinstein, president and co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).
Asbestos-related illnesses are already responsible for an estimated 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Delaying the ban could lead to even more preventable harm.
As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of families get justice for asbestos-related diseases by taking legal action against the manufacturers of these deadly products.
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Inside the EPA Filing: What Reconsideration of the Asbestos Ban Means
In a filing with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, the EPA indicated their plans to reconsider key parts of the agency’s chrysotile asbestos ban, which was finalized in March 2024 under the Biden administration.
As part of this process, the EPA will reconsider:
- The ban on importing and using asbestos in the production of chlorine
- Restrictions on installing new asbestos-containing sheet gaskets in chemical manufacturing and related industries
The review process could take up to 30 months, delaying critical protections for American workers still exposed to asbestos on the job. Many are left wondering why we need to spend 2 more years reconsidering a mineral that research has shown to be deadly for over 50 years.
"The science is clear — asbestos is a known carcinogen that has severe impacts on public health."
– Michael S. Regan, Former EPA Administrator
The EPA's decision follows a legal challenge from groups like the American Chemistry Council, which previously lobbied for more time to phase out asbestos use. The original rule gave certain manufacturers up to 12 years to fully comply.
Despite this, the EPA’s move opens the door for industry leaders to weaken the ban or further delay compliance. Notably, the court filing was signed by a former American Chemistry Council official who now works with the Trump administration.
A Look at the EPA’s 2024 Chrysotile Asbestos Ban
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act amendments in 2016, the EPA was given more authority to assess and regulate various chemicals, including asbestos.
They found that chrysotile asbestos, the type of asbestos most commonly used in the U.S., continued to have “unreasonable risks” despite its limited use in chemical or chlor-alkali manufacturing and several other industries.
As a result, the EPA proposed a ban on chrysotile asbestos in 2022. The rule was reviewed by industry leaders and members of the public before it was finalized.
The March 2024 asbestos ban would have:
- Developed workplace safety measures to protect workers while phasing out asbestos
- Halted all imports of chrysotile asbestos
- Required industries to phase out the use of asbestos according to varying timelines
The EPA’s decision to reconsider the asbestos ban comes just over a year after they proudly announced the action would protect American workers and their families.
Michael Regan, former EPA administrator, called the ban a historic step in safeguarding public health and declared the agency would be “finally slamming the door on a chemical so dangerous that it has already been banned in over 50 countries."
The proposed timeline for phasing out chrysotile asbestos ranged from 6 months to 12 years, depending on the products or industries involved — but many advocates felt this timeframe was far too long.
Advocates Called for Stronger EPA Asbestos Regulations & Congressional Action
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which has been leading the fight for a ban on asbestos for years, acknowledged that the EPA’s 2024 asbestos ban was an important advancement in the fight to protect workers from exposure.
However, the organization believed the rule didn’t do enough to combat the widespread dangers of asbestos.
“We are alarmed that the rule allows an unnecessarily long transition period and creates inconsistent compliance deadlines for certain asbestos users, which will allow dangerous exposure to chrysotile asbestos to continue for years to come.”
– Linda Reinstein, ADAO Co-Founder and President
To make matters worse, the ban only addressed one of six types of asbestos. As a result, the ADAO called on Congress and other lawmakers to ban all asbestos imports and use by passing the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act.
The ARBAN Act is the only legislation that proposes a complete ban on all asbestos usage. By passing the bill, Congress could ensure that industries can’t fight or prolong phasing out the toxic mineral.
Fighting for Victims of Asbestos Exposure for Over 45 Years
At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma lawyers will continue to fight on behalf of innocent victims suffering from illnesses caused by asbestos exposure.
We may be able to help those affected by asbestos-related diseases:
- Access the estimated $30 Billion still available in asbestos trust funds
- File mesothelioma lawsuits to hold negligent asbestos-product manufacturers accountable
- Secure benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs if applicable
Over the last 45 years, we’ve recovered more than $5.3 Billion in mesothelioma settlements and verdicts for thousands of families nationwide.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or get a free case review to see how we may be able to help you.
