Asbestos products are the most common environmental threat to the planet, according to an assessment released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA’s Asphalt Hazards Program will test millions of tons, including those that are produced from asbestos, and use that data to make recommendations to governments and the public.
“We are asking the public to be vigilant,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said.
“You may have heard about the asbestos-related deaths, but what about the thousands of other deaths that happen in the United States every year?”
In the coming months, we will also release a new report that details the asbestos hazards that are posed to our nation’s citizens, workers and property.
“If you see an article about asbestos hazards in the media, please contact the EPA’s Hazards Division at 1-877-852-8010 to get in touch.
The Hazards Bureau is also open to public comments on their work.
The EPA’s program has already tested over a billion tons of the material, which is used to make a variety of building materials and equipment, including construction equipment, electrical equipment, plumbing, and electrical wiring.
But the agency said it plans to increase its testing capacity to reach nearly 4 billion tons by the end of the year.
The agency estimates the vast majority of asbestos-containing products are made in the US.
While the government’s focus is on asbestos, the EPA also released a list of other products that are more than 20 times more toxic to humans.
The following products are considered hazardous to humans, including the following:•Bamboo and bamboo products•Alloys used in glass and ceramics•Glass and ceramsics made from glass•Glass products with a clear coat•Glass bottles•Glass molds•Glass powder, glass bricks and glass molds used to manufacture glass products•Glass bricks used in the production of glass products.EPA’s Hazars Division will be working closely with other federal agencies and universities to improve the accuracy of its assessments.
The EPA said it will also continue to develop a national strategy for the prevention of asbestos exposure.”
It is important that the American people know that the EPA has a proven track record for making decisions about asbestos and for ensuring our nation continues to lead the world in protecting our environment,” Pruitt said in a statement.
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