From the Editor's Desk

The U.S. announced an asbestos ban. What took so long? - Environment (No paywall)

Such a ban has been a long time coming, according to experts who contend that there are no safe levels of asbestos, a substance that still kills 40,000 people annually in the U.S. In all, over 50 countries have already banned the mineral, known to cause a laundry list of cancers including mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the membranes that line the lungs and abdomen. It’s also been shown to cause lung, larynx, ovarian, stomach, and colon cancer.

That’s part of the reason that Congress decided to significantly amend TSCA in 2016 under the Obama Administration. The hope is that this time the ban will stand up in court. Still, experts say that it doesn’t go far enough. While the rule covers the most widely used asbestos fiber, it doesn’t cover all six forms. It’s focused on banning gaskets, diaphragms containing asbestos used in the production of chlorine, and some automotive products like aftermarket brakes and linings.

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