Asbestos Concerns Continue Long after Most Use was Banned

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 12, 2012 - According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), asbestos has not been mined in the U.S. since 2002.  Back in July of 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule banning most asbestos-containing products.  In 1991, this regulation was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. As a result of the Court's decision, the following specific asbestos-containing products remain banned: flooring felt, rollboard, and corrugated, commercial, or specialty paper. In addition, the regulation continues to ban the use of asbestos in products that have not historically contained asbestos, otherwise referred to as "new uses" of asbestos.

Despite regulations, asbestos is unfortunately still used in the United States. The USGS reports that 1,100 tons of asbestos was imported into the country in 2011.  Roofing products were estimated to account for about 60% of U.S. consumption; the chloralkali industry about 35%; and unknown applications, 5%.

In addition to the continued use of asbestos in some products, countless residential and commercial properties across the nation have building materials in them that were manufactured using asbestos before any regulations went into effect.  Due to its fiber strength and fire-retardant properties it was used in countless building materials for decades.

Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC (SEHC), is an environmental, health and safety (EHS) consulting firm located in Delaware that has spent decades working to ensure people are not exposed to these deadly fibers.  “Asbestos was once known as the ‘miracle fiber’ due to its use in so many products,” stated Susan White, Ph.D., CMC, President of SEHC.  “Unfortunately society has paid a high price for its use with tragic human illnesses and deaths that have resulted from exposure to asbestos fibers.  Environmental testing can quickly determine what materials contain asbestos so that proper remediation techniques can be employed to safely remove the materials from homes, offices and schools,” she continued.

To learn more about Sussex Environmental Health Consultants or asbestos, environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ) and health and safety services, please visit http://www.sussexenvironmental.com, email susan.white@mchsi.com or call (302) 947-1810.

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About Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC
SEHC is a certified woman owned business that provides environmental and health and safety consulting services. The company is located in the Mid-Atlantic and services clients nationwide. SEHC provides solutions to clients ranging from homeowners to international Fortune 500 Corporations.

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