California Residents Advised of Efforts by the Federal Government to Ban Asbestos-Containing Products and Materials

Thousands of different asbestos-containing products and building materials were once available for purchase in California. Its far-reaching use was due to the many unique properties that the mineral fiber offered manufacturers. Tragically, it was also known for some time that exposure to asbestos fibers could result in mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Many people assume asbestos has been banned in all new products, but to the surprise of most, that is not completely correct. Some of the actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the public from exposure to asbestos include:

• December 2020 Final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos found unreasonable risks to human health for ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos and no unreasonable risk to the environment from any condition of use. EPA is moving immediately to risk management for the ongoing chrysotile asbestos use where unreasonable risk was found and will work as quickly as possible to propose and finalize actions to protect against the unreasonable risks.

• April 2019 Restrictions on Discontinued Uses of Asbestos Rule to ensure that asbestos products that are no longer on the market cannot return to commerce without the Agency evaluating them and putting in place any necessary restrictions or prohibiting use. The uses covered under this rule were not already prohibited under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and could have returned to the market at any time.

• 1989 Partial Ban on the manufacture, import, processing, and distribution of some asbestos-containing products. EPA also banned new uses of asbestos which prevent new asbestos products from entering the marketplace after August 25, 1989. These uses remain banned. The April 2019 rule does not provide a way for these uses to return to the marketplace.

“Banning asbestos from virtually all new products will certainly help lessen future exposure risks, but it’s important to recognize that asbestos hazards exist today for many people throughout California due to past uses which didn’t peak until the 1970s,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at LA Testing. “The scientists at LA Testing offer bulk material, industrial hygiene, and environmental sample analysis for asbestos and other hazardous materials. We also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits, and personal protective equipment.”

To learn more about asbestos testing, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com , or call (800) 755-1794. For access to asbestos or other indoor environmental quality (IEQ) test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash, and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego, and Ontario.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail