EPA Confirms Asbestos Ban: Key Takeaways You Must Know
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a landmark decision on July 8, 2025, confirming the permanent ban on chrysotile asbestos—the last form of asbestos still legally used in the United States. This ruling marks a major shift for the construction and manufacturing industries, signaling the end of asbestos use in new products.
Key Takeaways for our industry:
- No New Use: The EPA fully prohibits the use or import of chrysotile asbestos. Any new projects or products cannot incorporate this hazardous material.
- Compliance Deadlines: Companies still using chrysotile asbestos—for example, in certain gaskets or in chlor-alkali production—must transition to non-asbestos alternatives within mandated timelines. Deadlines range from six months to five or more years, with most asbestos-containing sheet gaskets banned within two years.
- Legacy Risk Remains: The use or import of chrysotile asbestos is now fully prohibited. Renovation, demolition, and maintenance projects must continue to manage this legacy asbestos to protect workers and residents.
- Disposal Requirements: Any asbestos removed from a site must follow strict disposal and recordkeeping rules to ensure safety and compliance.
This decision reinforces a critical fact: there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and no type of asbestos is safe.
Need an Asbestos Survey?
If your project involves older buildings or materials that may contain asbestos, professional asbestos surveys are essential. We provide asbestos survey services across NY, PA, CT, NJ, and VT to ensure compliance and safety. Contact Sean Fitzgerald at 716.592.3980 ext 187 or sfitzgerald@encorus.com for assistance.
