Ask A Lawyer
Talk to our Mesothelioma Lawyer for a free case review.
When Was Asbestos Banned in the US?
Asbestos is a known carcinogenic that can result in a deadly form of cancer known as mesothelioma and other serious health conditions such as asbestosis. The potential health effects of asbestos have been known for about a century, yet the United States has not yet issued a complete ban on asbestos.
The US Government Regulates, But Has Not Banned, Asbestos
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to regulate asbestos in the 1970s through the Clean Air Act and Toxic Substances Control Act. While some use of asbestos was limited by those laws, a ban was not suggested at that time. In 1989, the EPA issued regulations that would ban asbestos in the United States. However, a Federal Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned the regulations a few years later. As a result, new uses of asbestos were banned in the United States, but many old uses remain legal today.
Do You Have A Mesothelioma Lawsuit? »
Lack of Asbestos Ban Creates Dangers for Workers
Workers, and others, in the United States remain at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos related conditions because of the lack of a ban on this toxic substance. Mesothelioma symptoms may take decades to appear. Once symptoms do appear, a mesothelioma prognosis is often grim. Mesothelioma life expectancies are typically only a few years, or less, from the time of diagnosis.
What to Do if You Have Mesothelioma
United States law does not ban all uses of asbestos, your employer decided to use the dangerous substance and you are suffering from malignant mesothelioma as a result. If you suspect that you have mesothelioma then it is important to get prompt mesothelioma treatment. Treatment can help extend your life and maintain your quality of life. It is also important to contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who will work hard to protect your financial interests and your family when your employer and your government failed to protect you.
