Is Asbestos Banned in the US

In 1989, the EPA issued a broad rule to phase out most asbestos products, but a federal appeals court overturned much of it in 1991. Some bans survived, including bans on certain new uses and specific products such as flooring felt and some paper products. Other restrictions came from different laws covering air pollution, workplace safety, schools and consumer products. As a result, asbestos was heavily restricted but not fully banned for many years, and some products and imports continued in limited forms. This patchwork approach is why many people remain confused about asbestos's legal status today.

In 2024, the EPA finalized a rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only type still known to be imported and used in the United States at the time. The rule addressed uses such as certain diaphragms in the chlor-alkali industry, sheet gaskets, some brake blocks and certain vehicle friction products, with transition periods for some industries. The EPA has also been evaluating legacy asbestos uses and disposal. Details and timelines may change through legal challenges or later rulemaking, so current official sources are the best reference.

No ban removes asbestos already installed in buildings, ships, plants and homes. Insulation, flooring, roofing and many other materials remain in place across the country. Rules governing renovation, demolition, abatement and worker protection are designed to control exposure from these legacy materials. For people diagnosed today, what matters most is past exposure, which typically occurred decades ago. For people working in older buildings now, current rules are a reminder to check for asbestos before disturbing materials. Regulators continue to study how legacy materials should be managed and eventually removed. Owners of older buildings should expect asbestos rules to remain part of any major project.

1. 1

   Check the EPA's asbestos pages for the current status of federal rules.

2. 2

   Ask for an asbestos inspection before renovating any building built before 1980.

3. 3

   Follow employer training and procedures if your job involves older materials.

4. 4

   Focus your health history on older exposures, which are most relevant to current diagnoses.