30 WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM | FEB 2022 COULD THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY BAN ASBESTOS FOREVER? Many people in the United States assume that asbestos was entirely banned decades ago. Sadly, the reality of legislation around this dangerous carcinogen is much more complicated. Even though asbestos is no longer mined in the United States and its usage has decreased dramatically, asbestos-containing construction materials such as gaskets and roofing materials can still be found in the US. Companies continue to legally import hundreds of tons of raw asbestos as well as contaminated roofing products, gaskets, and friction products that contain asbestos. It can still be found in homes, schools, and workplaces. In fact, according to the research published in 2021 by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), while asbestos imports into the United States have declined dramatically since the 1980s, there has been almost a 74% spike in imports between 2019 and 2020. Between 1990 and 2019, more than 1 million people in the United States were harmed or died due to asbestos-related illnesses, which included lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma, the most well-known and deadly asbestos-related cancer and most challenging to detect. Considering the hazardous risk that asbestos imposes, it is impossible not to ask what is being done and, most importantly, if we can expect to live in a completely asbestos-free nation in the future. An overview of the asbestos use in the US Asbestos's fireproofing capabilities made it indispensable in various sectors, including the automotive, construction, Could the United States Legally Ban Asbestos Forever? Miguel Leyva Case Manager, Atraxia Law 16835 W Bernardo, Dr #215, San Diego, CA 92127 Tel: +1 619 330 7482 E: admin@atraxialaw.com www.atraxialaw.com The use of asbestos in construction and industry has fallen off sharply since the twentieth century. Yet, despite the substance’s acknowledged carcinogenic properties, asbestos can still be found in many imported products. Below, Miguel Leyva explains the history of asbestos use in the United States and ongoing legislative efforts to ban the practice entirely. Miguel Leyva manages hazardous tort claims at Atraxia Law. In this role, he aids asbestos-related injury victims. Miguel helps people with lung cancer and other serious illnesses obtain and organize vital information to support their claims. Atraxia Law is a personal injury firm based in San Diego, California. The firm has historically obtained over $5.7 billion worth of payouts for injured parties and their family members.
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