Friend,

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to ban one type of asbestos -- but there are five other types out there that we can't continue allowing to put our health at risk.1,2

It's absurd enough that the United States remains one of just a few developed countries without a ban on asbestos.3 We can't afford to let this toxic problem fester by only taking half-measures to address it.

The EPA is currently accepting comments from the public on its proposed asbestos ban. Will you take action right now to urge the EPA to once and for all protect public health from this deadly carcinogen?

The term "asbestos" actually encompasses six different forms of the mineral. One of these forms, called chrysotile asbestos, is generally more common than the others, and it's the only form that would be banned under the EPA's current proposal.

But the other five forms are no less dangerous -- the well-established links between asbestos and cancer apply to all six types, wherever they are found.4 Asbestos kills 12,000 to 15,000 Americans every year, with some estimates saying the true death toll is closer to 40,000.5

We're working to convince the EPA that, when it comes to a material as dangerous as asbestos, it's not enough to eliminate just one type of it when there are five others out there continuing to threaten public health.

You can help ensure the EPA corrects course on its plan by submitting a public comment today.

Nearly 70 countries have banned asbestos.6 The U.S. should be one of them -- and we should make sure our ban is as strong as possible, given the severity of the mineral's health risks.

Getting rid of this toxic mineral will save thousands of lives. It'll help protect children, workers and other Americans from exposure in their products and in their homes, schools and workplaces.

But the only way to make this protection as full and effective as it needs to be is to ban all forms of asbestos, not just one. Will you send an urgent message right now telling the EPA to strengthen its proposed ban on asbestos?

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

1. "EPA Proposes to Ban Ongoing Uses of Asbestos, Taking Historic Step to Protect People from Cancer Risk," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 5, 2022.
2. "Asbestos (Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Actinolite and Anthophyllite)," National Library of Medicine, last accessed April 29, 2022.
3. "U.S. PIRG sends letter to Congress calling for overdue asbestos ban," U.S. PIRG, September 21, 2021.
4. "Asbestos (Chrysotile, Amosite, Crocidolite, Tremolite, Actinolite and Anthophyllite)," National Library of Medicine, last accessed April 29, 2022.
5. "ADAO Announces New Findings that Show Asbestos-Related Deaths Estimated at More than Double Previously Reported in the United States," BusinessWire, April 16, 2018.
6. "U.S. PIRG sends letter to Congress calling for overdue asbestos ban," U.S. PIRG, September 21, 2021.