The general public has operated under the misconception that cancer-causing asbestos has long been banned in the US. Nothing could be further from the truth. In recent years, asbestos in the US supply chain has increased, putting workers and everyday people at risk.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pushed for a ban in 1989 that was largely overturned through a series of civil lawsuits. Asbestos mining operations were not phased out until the early 2000s, when manufacturers and importers turned to other countries for the material.

Health-conscious companies and an unrelenting barrage of class action mesothelioma lawsuits appeared to have imports in retreat. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains so dramatically that businesses desperately needed suppliers, asbestos-laced parts and materials crept back into our communities.

After declining to approximately 172 metric tons of raw chrysotile asbestos in 2019, supply chain disruptions opened the door to a flood of asbestos that exceeded 300 metric tons. While asbestos imports decreased following the global health emergency, it’s essential to keep in mind the threat remains.

This import doesn’t have an expiration date. Both long-term and short-term exposure have been linked to a variety of conditions, most notably cancer. Now considered a heightened threat to unsuspecting workers, understanding how the health and safety setback occurred, and ways to address it going forward, are critical.

Why is Asbestos in the US Supply Chain?

Most are well aware that research demonstrates a connection between asbestos and cancer, asking why asbestos lingers in the US supply chain is more than a fair question. Although American manufacturers are restricted by a limited ban imposed in the early 1990s, certain imported parts are allowed exemptions.

Automotive components such as brakes made in China have enjoyed exemptions. During the pandemic and the spike in product demand during the recovery, some companies may have turned a blind eye to mislabeling. One of the headline-grabbing issues involves talcum powder contamination.

What is Talc Asbestos?

Talcum and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals that tend to reside near each other. Widely used in cosmetics and baby powder, talcum is an FDA-approved substance that does not pose a significant health risk. Mining operations that allow asbestos materials or airborne particles to mix with otherwise safe talc put contaminated raw materials into the supply chain.

In 2024, Dynacare Baby Powder recalls were issued across 35 states due to concerns about asbestos contamination. This recall came five years after the FDA reportedly found trace amounts of asbestos in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder in 2019.

Some argue the pressure to keep the supply chain open and keep up with post-pandemic demand prompted corporations to take shortcuts. Regardless of their motivation, asbestos in the US supply chain, household goods, or commercial settings is a proven health hazard.

Asbestos-Tainted Insulation Re-entered Supply Chain

Another naturally occurring mineral, vermiculite, has proven to be a useful material for insulation. Heat causes the mica-like element to expand, and it also helps improve soil conditions.

Much like talcum, vermiculite can also be found underground near asbestos deposits. A mine outside Libby, Montana, reportedly produced asbestos-laced vermiculite from 1920 through 1990, when the operation was finally shuttered. In 2000, the EPA placed the Libby mine on its Superfund list.

Commonsense would dictate the discontinuation of vermiculite. However, some imported products that use vermiculite may contain trace amounts of asbestos.

What are the Six Types of Asbestos?

Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986, widespread inspections were mandated in public schools and other buildings. The federal law identified six substances with similar properties, putting them into the category we know as asbestos.

These are the six types and their current status.

  • Chrysotile: The most commonly used type of asbestos; it has been linked to cancer and is found in numerous products. Although the EPA finalized another rule banning chrysotile asbestos in 2024, exemptions are expected to persist over the next 2–5 years.
  • Amosite: Deemed the second-most used type of asbestos by the EPA, gaskets, flooring, ceiling tiles, and other products may be laced with this type of asbestos. Mined primarily in South Africa, its use has been curbed and limited in the US.
  • Crocidolite: Considered the most carcinogenic (cancerous) asbestos, its thin fibers have been traced to more mesothelioma deaths than others in its class. It has not been completely banned in the US.
  • Actinolite:Used in furnace linings and fire-proofing applications, this less common type has been banned in some countries. The US does not have a ban on this type of asbestos.
  • Tremolite: Used in gardening soils, clothing, paint, textiles and sealants, this type of asbestos has been linked to cancer. Its use is restricted but not banned in the US.
  • Anthophyllite: Often associated with talc and vermiculite products, this rare type of asbestos has been banned in other countries. There are still allowable uses in the US.

The premise that asbestos has been effectively banned in the US is far from accurate. Under various administrations, the EPA pushed to remove asbestos from the American landscape. Actions by the Biden-Harris administration in 2024 placed further restrictions on asbestos.

What Loopholes Keep Asbestos in the US Supply Chain?

The previous administration made a final push to get asbestos off the market and out of the supply chain. In March 2024, the EPA published a final rule prohibiting the “ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos.”

Over a 2- to 5-year period, most chrysotile asbestos products will be phased out. The grace period is designed to provide industries with enough time to test and integrate safe alternatives.

Workers remain at risk of asbestos exposure due to the imported products and materials, as well as the fact they will stay in the US supply chain. These are some of the problems plaguing the supply chain.

  • Thousands of products tainted with asbestos are already in the country.
  • The recent 2024 EPA final rule only bans chrysotile asbestos.
  • No recalls of products known to contain asbestos have been issued.
  • The EPA rule does not include quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) measures or oversight. 

 

Even though the EPA continues to make strides in removing asbestos from the US supply chain, foreign manufacturers are not subject to these restrictions. Some simply use types of asbestos that are not yet banned, leaving people exposed to the very same health risks.

The high cost of asbestos cleanup and the stringent regulations have, to some degree, hampered its removal. Coupled with rules that allow legacy materials to remain, too many workarounds exist.

The rise in e-commerce has also contributed to asbestos loopholes. Digital platforms that serve as a go-between do not typically see or inspect products moving through the supply chain. Manufacturing giants such as China have not yet banned even chrysotile asbestos, further highlighting why we still have asbestos in the US supply chain.

Workplace Protections Against Asbestos Exposure

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) points out that there is no safe exposure limit when it comes to asbestos. Both short- and long-term asbestos exposure can have debilitating health implications and death.

Once the tiny particles become lodged in the skin or inhaled into the lungs, cancer and other health conditions can ensue. That’s why OSHA requires organizations to monitor for asbestos and integrate safety controls such as barriers, adequate ventilation, wet processes, and HEPA vacuums when the carcinogen is present.

Along with ongoing training, the following personal protective equipment (PPE) and disposable clothing products are strongly recommended.

  • Respirators: The use of half- or full-faced respirators is recommended. The air filters should have the ability to block 99.9 percent of fine particles.
  • Disposable Coveralls: Industry-leading coveralls with the ability to prevent asbestos fiber penetration are essential. These products must be disposed of in a separate doffing area after a single use.
  • Head Covers: Coveralls with attached hoods are the best option. In some cases, disposable head coverings may be acceptable.
  • Gloves: The gloves workers use must be suitable for their tasks. In construction settings, for instance, gloves need thickness and durability.
  • Foot Coverings: Disposable shoe covers prevent workers from bringing trace asbestos from the site and into their homes.

It’s important to stockpile an inventory of PPE and disposable clothing that can be seamlessly accessorized. With an unknown amount of asbestos-laced products and materials in the US supply chain and workplaces, industry should be prepared to address asbestos with adequate PPE, control measures, and protective clothing.