For Release: January 19, 2021

On February 3, 2021, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, EPA will host a webinar to educate stakeholders on the risk management process under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the findings in the final risk evaluation for Asbestos Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos. The webinar will also give the public an opportunity to provide input on considerations the agency should take into account for managing these unreasonable risks.

Register for the webinar.ExitIf you would like to provide oral comments during the event, you must register by 5:00 EST on January 29, 2021. Select “attend and make a comment” when registering. You may register as a listen-only attendee at any time up to the end of the meeting. For listen-only attendees, select “listen-only” when registering.

Details on how to access the webinar and slides will be sent to participants after registering via Eventbrite.com. Please ensure that emails from Eventbrite.com will not be blocked by your spam filter. EPA will provide a transcript and recording on EPA’s Asbestos Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos webpage following the webinar.

Additionally, EPA will begin formal consultations with state and local governments, tribes, environmental justice communities, and small businesses. There will also be an open public comment period on any draft risk management regulation.

Learn more about risk management for Asbestos Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos.

Background

TSCA is our nation’s primary chemicals management law. This law requires EPA to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to existing chemicals using the best available science then take action to reduce or eliminate any unreasonable risk identified. The agency issued a final risk evaluation for Asbestos Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos in December 2020 showing unreasonable risks to workers and consumers under certain conditions of use. EPA is now moving to risk management for this chemical, the next step in the process required by TSCA.

There are several actions EPA can take alone or in combination under TSCA to address unreasonable risks including banning a chemical; restricting the manufacturing, processing, distribution, use, or disposal; requiring warning labels/testing; and requiring manufacturers to notify distributors of any unreasonable risks. EPA has up to one year after issuing a final risk evaluation to propose risk management actions followed by a public comment period and final rule.