In a significant step for environmental and public health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 8, 2025, that it will not reverse the ban on chrysotile asbestos, reaffirming the March 18, 2024 rule that prohibited the last legal use of asbestos in the United States.
This decision came after months of uncertainty and public concern when the agency indicated it might reexamine the regulation. The EPA’s final stance follows widespread pressure from lawmakers, health experts, and advocacy organizations that called the potential reversal a serious threat to American lives.
At Asbestos Network, where we serve individuals and families impacted by asbestos exposure, this outcome validates decades of advocacy and legal action.
Earlier in 2025, the EPA signaled that it might revisit its 2024 ban on chrysotile asbestos, sparking concern across the public health and legal communities. But as reported by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the agency ultimately backed down, citing a groundswell of resistance from medical experts, legal professionals, and members of Congress.
An EPA spokesperson stated:
“We’ve heard the concerns raised loud and clear… Our mission is to protect human health and the environment.”
This shift came in response to growing consensus that no level of asbestos exposure is safe, and that continued use—even in limited industrial settings—poses unnecessary risks to workers and the public.
The March 2024 rule banned chrysotile asbestos in industries like chlor-alkali manufacturing, vehicle brakes, and industrial gaskets. Although some stakeholders claimed this form of asbestos was less hazardous, the EPA reaffirmed:
“There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”
Exposure to asbestos can lead to deadly illnesses, including:
Each year, approximately 40,000 deaths in the U.S. are linked to asbestos-related diseases, often stemming from workplace exposure or secondary contact via contaminated clothing.
Public outcry played a central role in the EPA’s decision. Organizations like the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and union representatives argued that rolling back the ban would endanger countless lives.
Linda Reinstein, co-founder of ADAO, emphasized:
“Too many families have already suffered.”
Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon also urged the agency to uphold the ban, stating:
“The science is clear. It’s time to eliminate asbestos entirely.”
Their message was supported by environmental activists, asbestos litigation attorneys, and survivors of asbestos-related diseases—all pointing out that safe, effective alternatives have existed for years, making continued use unjustifiable.
This decision strengthens the legal position for asbestos exposure victims. According to James Nevin, partner at Brayton Purcell LLP:
“The continued use of chrysotile asbestos was never justifiable… This decision reinforces what we’ve always known—companies can’t pretend they didn’t know the risks.”
With the EPA standing behind the ban, it becomes increasingly difficult for corporations to argue they acted within acceptable standards. Courts now have federal confirmation that asbestos is a known hazard that should have been avoided.
If you or someone you care about has developed an asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to compensation—and this ruling makes that legal path even clearer.
Under the existing EPA rule, companies using asbestos in chlor-alkali manufacturing were granted five years to transition to safer technologies. As of 2024, eight U.S. facilities still relied on asbestos diaphragms.
Now, those companies will be required to adapt. Experts have stated for years that modern, asbestos-free alternatives are readily available—and this ruling leaves no excuse for continued use.
While this ruling is a major win for public health, asbestos is still present in countless older structures, including homes, schools, and factories. Renovations, demolitions, and natural disasters can release asbestos fibers into the air, putting workers and nearby residents at risk.
ADAO’s Linda Reinstein noted:
“We may have stopped new uses, but we must also address the legacy of asbestos that still exists.”
At Asbestos Network, we continue to support victims affected by both past and ongoing asbestos exposure, and we remain committed to holding negligent companies accountable.
The EPA’s decision to uphold the chrysotile asbestos ban is a victory for science, safety, and common sense. It reflects decades of advocacy from survivors, experts, and attorneys who refused to let industry profit come before public health.
But there’s more work to do. From enforcing the current ban to addressing asbestos still lurking in buildings and job sites, we must stay vigilant.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, you don’t have to go through it alone.
📞 Call Asbestos Network at 866-316-4568
📝 Or visit asbestosnetwork.com/contact to schedule a free consultation.
We’re here to help you get answers—and the justice you deserve.
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