Asbestos Safety Act
The Asbestos Information Act of 1988 required anyone who manufactured asbestos or asbestos-containing products to report certain identifying factors on the source and use of their products to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
-
History
-
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that was used by ancient Egyptians; it has been around for over 2,000 years. Six types of asbestos exist: actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, tremolite, and chrysolite. Asbestos came into popular use in the U.S. during the 1800s. Though all forms of asbestos were banned in America in December 2003, the Information Act still requires biohazard disclosure when there is a possibility of asbestos or asbestos-containing products or materials on a premises or work site.
Effects
-
Use of asbestos in America began to fade out in the 1970s. Before that time, it was considered a "miracle" mineral product with all kinds of commercial uses and applications, particularly when it came to making flame-retardant products. The material was used in brake pads, as liner for refrigerated train cars, as insulation for irons, in ironing board covers, in hair dryers, hot water pipes and boilers; as wall insulation in homes, in stucco, and in putty, caulk, rain gutters and drywall tape.
Warning
-
Because asbestos is a naturally occurring environmental fiber product, there is no way to completely safeguard from it. It was outlawed in the U.S. mainly because it is a known cause of mesothelioma, or cancer of the lungs and abdomen.
-
Related Searches
References
Resources
- Photo Credit panneau de signalisation image by Palindra from Fotolia.com
