Recognizing ACBMs

Banned ACBMs

Aren't ACBMs Banned in the United States?!

Although several ACBMs have been banned by the US Government from use in construction, many products have been "grandfathered in" and it is still theoretically possible to purchase ACBMs in the United States.

Regulatory History of Asbestos Bans

2020 Significant New Use Rule (see below)

Legislation Banning Asbestos Products & Uses

Under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA):

  • Banned Manufacture, Importation, Processing and Distribution in Commerce of Certain Asbestos-containing Products

    • Corrugated paper, Rollboard, Commercial paper, Specialty paper

    • Flooring felt

    • “New uses” of asbestos

Under the Clean Air Act:

  • Asbestos pipe & block insulation on boilers and hot water tanks pre-formed (molded) and friable or wet-applied and friable after drying.

  • Spray-applied surfacing asbestos-containing materials

Under the Consumer Product Safety Act:

  • Asbestos in artificial fireplace embers and wall patching compounds

Significant New Use Rule, 2020

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a significant new use rule (SNUR) under Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. The regulation, which went into effect on June 24, 2020, prohibits discontinued uses of asbestos from restarting without the EPA having an opportunity to evaluate each intended use for potential risks to health and the environment and take any necessary regulatory action, which may include a ban. The SNUR requires manufacturers to request approval before importing, manufacturing, or processing asbestos for adhesives, arc chutes, beater-add gaskets, building materials (insulation, plastics, textured paints, etc.), cement products, coatings, extruded sealant tape and other tape, filler for acetylene cylinders, friction materials (except brake blocks used in oil drilling equipment and vehicle brakes and linings), high-grade electrical paper, millboard, missile liner, packings, pipeline wrap, reinforced plastics, roofing felt, sealants, separators in fuel cells and batteries, vinyl-asbestos floor tile, woven products, and any other applications that are not currently in use in the United States.