Preventing Exposure Risks to all Forms of Asbestos in Puerto Rico as EPA Releases Final Risk Evaluation for Chrysotile

This past December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos. The document addresses the agency’s determinations on which conditions of use may present unreasonable risks to the environment and human health, and was completed as part of the agency’s mission under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
 
EPA reviewed the exposures and hazards of chrysotile asbestos uses and made the following final risk findings. While the agency found no unreasonable risks to the environment under any of the conditions of use, it did find unreasonable risks to human health.

• Consumers and Bystanders: EPA found unreasonable risks to consumers and bystanders from all consumer uses of chrysotile asbestos. Most consumer products containing chrysotile asbestos have been discontinued. Consumer products still available and for which EPA found unreasonable risk include aftermarket automotive brakes/linings and certain gaskets. Risks to consumers can come from the inhalation of chrysotile asbestos. 
• Workers and Occupational Non-Users: Commercial chrysotile asbestos uses for which EPA found unreasonable risk to workers include chlor-alkali diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks, aftermarket automotive brakes/linings, other vehicle friction products and other gaskets. Additionally, EPA found unreasonable risks to workers nearby, but not in direct contact with chrysotile asbestos (known as occupational non-users) for the use of chlor-alkali diaphragms, sheet gaskets, brake blocks and other gaskets. Risks to workers and occupational non-users can come from the inhalation of chrysotile asbestos. 

“Chrysotile is just one of six asbestos and asbestiform minerals that regulatory agencies, such as EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recognize,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “The other five include actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite and tremolite. All six were used extensively for over 100 years in numerous building materials and countless manufactured goods that are still present in many homes and buildings across Puerto Rico. Any asbestos-containing materials could be an exposure hazard if they are friable or when disturbed.”
 
To protect workers, the public and to help keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance, Zimmetry Environmental offers testing, monitoring and consulting services for asbestos and many other regulated and nonregulated materials. Zimmetry also sponsored an educational video about chrysotile several years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/8mSVCJMD_E4
 
To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health, safety or compliance 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.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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