Sponsors (4)
The bill substantially reduces future asbestos exposure and associated public-health costs by imposing a broad ban, but it preserves limited exemptions and leaves some definitional ambiguities that prolong exposure for certain workers, permit temporary national-security uses, and impose near-term costs and compliance challenges on businesses and regulators.
Construction and energy workers and nearby communities will face reduced asbestos exposure because the bill bans the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos and most asbestos-containing articles on enactment.
Taxpayers and local governments should see lower future cleanup and healthcare costs because new uses and distribution of asbestos are barred, reducing future public-health burdens.
EPA and the public will have stronger protection from agency-level exemptions because the bill preserves EPA's ability to block waivers under TSCA section 22, helping ensure the ban's effectiveness.
Owners/operators of existing chlor-alkali plants can continue using asbestos diaphragms until January 1, 2030, prolonging asbestos exposure risks for energy and plant workers for several years.
The President may authorize temporary commercial asbestos use under a national-security exemption for up to six years in total, potentially permitting continued exposure and allowing some decisions or details to remain opaque.
Small businesses and other companies that rely on asbestos-containing articles will face immediate compliance and replacement costs when manufacture or distribution is halted on enactment.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of defined commercial asbestos and products containing it, with narrow chlor-alkali and national-security exceptions.
Introduced September 16, 2025 by Jeff Merkley · Last progress September 16, 2025
Prohibits the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of a defined category of commercial asbestos and products/mixtures that contain it, effective on enactment. It creates two narrow exceptions: existing chlor-alkali plants may continue using asbestos diaphragms only until January 1, 2030, and the President may grant a limited, one-time national-security exemption (up to 3 years, extendable once up to 3 more years) if no feasible alternative exists, subject to terms that minimize exposure and public notice requirements. The bill also prevents the EPA from using a specific waiver authority to exempt this ban.