[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/epas-bans-asbestos\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/epas-bans-asbestos\/","headline":"Understanding the EPA\u2019s Recent Ban on Asbestos","name":"Understanding the EPA\u2019s Recent Ban on Asbestos","description":"For decades,\u00a0asbestos posed severe health risks that went unaddressed despite its known dangers.\u00a0Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally took definitive action by banning the import and use of this toxic substance. However, countless people have developed and will develop asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma while the authorities waited to act. Ward Black Law is one […]","datePublished":"2024-05-23","dateModified":"2024-05-23","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/author\/wardblacklaw\/#Person","name":"Ward Black Law","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/author\/wardblacklaw\/","identifier":10,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ed4d0accdb5c5876562d59b144de2311865aa36149afe6028b75bd28f5a44cb3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ed4d0accdb5c5876562d59b144de2311865aa36149afe6028b75bd28f5a44cb3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Ward Black Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/logo.png","width":116,"height":119}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Asbestos-Exposure-Sites-in-North-Carolina.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Asbestos-Exposure-Sites-in-North-Carolina.jpg","height":517,"width":693},"url":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/epas-bans-asbestos\/","about":["Asbestos Disease Claims","News"],"wordCount":677,"articleBody":"For decades,\u00a0asbestos posed severe health risks that went unaddressed despite its known dangers.\u00a0Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally took definitive action by banning the import and use of this toxic substance. However, countless people have developed and will develop asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma while the authorities waited to act.Ward Black Law is one of only a handful of law firms in North Carolina that handle asbestos cases. If you have developed an asbestos-related disease, we want you to have all the information you need to assert your legal rights. With\u00a0asbestos banned in the U.S., the landscape has\u00a0finally\u00a0changed after decades. Here\u2019s what you need to know about the EPA\u2019s recent ruling in plain language and how you can seek compensation if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness.What Is Chrysotile Asbestos, and Why Is It Banned?The term\u00a0\u201casbestos\u201d refers to a group of naturally occurring minerals, including chrysotile asbestos. Many industries\u00a0used\u00a0these minerals to make insulating products because of how well they resist heat.So,\u00a0why has the EPA banned asbestos?\u00a0Unfortunately, in addition to its flame-resistant properties, asbestos poses a grave threat to human health.\u00a0When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they become trapped in the lungs, stomach, and other\u00a0parts of the body. The human body can\u2019t break these fibers down. Instead, they cause inflammation that eventually disrupts normal bodily functions, leading to\u00a0a range of\u00a0serious illnesses. Asbestos producers knew about these dangers for decades before they became widely known in the 1970s\u00a0when\u00a0many industries began to phase out the use of asbestos.While the use of asbestos \u2013 a known carcinogen \u2013 has decreased across the U.S. for decades, it\u00a0was not\u00a0entirely\u00a0banned\u00a0until recently. In March 2024, the\u00a0EPA\u00a0announced a ban\u00a0on\u00a0many ongoing uses of asbestos products. The EPA ban focuses on chrysotile asbestos, the only known form of asbestos currently being used or imported in the U.S. Research estimates that asbestos-related illnesses cause over 40,000 deaths every year nationwide. The\u00a0EPA asbestos ban\u00a0could save many lives in years to come, but tragically, many individuals have been and continue to be exposed to dangerous asbestos fibers.\u00a0Health Dangers Posed by Chrysotile Asbestos ExposureExposure to asbestos is linked\u00a0to many severe illnesses, including:Mesothelioma \u2013 A type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a thin lining surrounding the internal organs, including the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and covering of the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma)Other cancers \u2013 Including lung cancer, stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and colon cancerAsbestosis \u2013 A respiratory condition that causes scarring of lung tissuePleural plaques or thickening \u2013 Thickening in the pleural membrane surrounding the lungs, which may lead to chest pain and breathing problemsHow to Seek Compensation After Asbestos ExposurePatients may have many claims under three main methods for recovering compensation for an asbestos-related illness:Workers\u2019 compensation claims\u00a0\u2013\u00a0If you developed an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma from workplace exposure, you may be entitled to workers\u2019\u00a0compensation benefits, including medical treatment and replacement of a portion of lost wages.Asbestos trust claims\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Many companies that manufactured asbestos products established bankruptcy trust funds. If you can show your illness stemmed from their products, you can file one or more claims to receive compensation from these trusts depending on your case.Personal injury lawsuits \u2013\u00a0In some cases, you can also sue companies or property owners responsible for your asbestos exposure and illness. A lawsuit allows you to seek money for your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.Importance of Working with an Experienced Asbestos Exposure AttorneyIf you developed an asbestos-related illness, Ward Black Law can represent you in your fight for fair compensation from every available source. Asbestos claims are a core component of our practice, and we have extensive experience representing clients nationwide in these complex cases. We\u2019ll handle all the complicated legal procedures while you focus on your medical treatment.Call Ward Black Law now or reach out online for a free case review."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Understanding the EPA\u2019s Recent Ban on Asbestos","item":"https:\/\/www.wardblacklaw.com\/blog\/epas-bans-asbestos\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]