Federal regulations relevant to asbestos pollution control

Health effects and epidemiological studies have established that breathing asbestos fibers can cause asbestosis, lung and other organ cancers, and mesothelioma. This has led to publication by EPA's Office of Toxic Substances of guidance for minimizing airborne asbestos exposure in buildings, establishing the School Rule, proposing a ban on use of certain asbestos-containing materials, and requiring removal of all friable asbestos prior to demolishing buildings. The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 requires EPA to make rules in several areas related to asbestos hazards abatement which are covered by recommendations in the guidance documents. EPA is also required to study asbestos exposures in public and commercial buildings and recommend to Congress whether or not the same rules should apply to them as to schools. Responsibility for making laws and enforcing the compliance with these rules will become that of the individual State governments.