EPA Final Rule on Asbestos Impacts Businesses, Workers and Residents of Puerto Rico
Zimmetry Environmental provides testing and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to asbestos in materials and from environmental samples.
Unfortunately, throughout the Caribbean and much of the rest of the world there are countless homes, businesses, schools and other institutions that still have asbestos-containing products in them from years ago which could put people at risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Last month the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new final rule on asbestos went into effect. It was the first time in 30 years the agency took action under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on products that contain asbestos.
While many people are under the impression that asbestos had been banned in the U.S., this is not the case. In 1989, five uses were banned (along with any new commercial uses that would have begun after August 25th, 1989). These included asbestos in corrugated paper, rollboard, commercial paper, specialty paper and flooring felt.
Prior to the final new rule, asbestos products that were no longer on the market could come back without any roadblocks. With the new rule in place, EPA has the opportunity to restrict these types of uses, further protecting public health. Asbestos uses now covered and banned by the EPA’s final rule include:
- Adhesives, sealants, roof and non-roof coatings
- Arc chutes
- Beater-add gaskets
- Cement products
- Extruded sealant tape and other tapes
- Filler for acetylene cylinders
- Friction materials
- High grade electrical paper
- Millboard
- Missile liners
- Packings
- Pipeline wraps
- Reinforced plastics
- Roofing felts
- Separators in fuel cells and batteries
- Vinyl-asbestos floor tiles
- Woven products
- Other building products
“The new rule is good news for everyone in Puerto Rico that might have otherwise been exposed to new products that contained asbestos if this EPA action had not been taken,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Unfortunately, throughout the Caribbean and much of the rest of the world there are countless homes, businesses, schools and other institutions that still have asbestos-containing products in them from years ago which could put people at risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.”
To protect residents of Puerto Rico and the region from exposure risks and to help keep companies’ in regulatory compliance, Zimmetry Environmental offers comprehensive testing, monitoring and consulting services for asbestos, lead and other hazards from environmental samples as well as regulated and unregulated materials.
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their asbestos, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, or compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com .
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
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Puerto Rico- Contact Information
- Paul Cochrane
- President
- Cochrane & Associates, LLC
- Contact via E-mail
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