Document 1we72OnmMxy77GbK1EE6gQb5

3738 Pdri Register / Vo!. 5i, No. lb / Wednesday, fomiuiy 2H. l*)8tf / Proposed Rules ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION tutTCft: Public bearings will bu held : The risks EPA is addressing in Ibis AQEHCY beginning approximately May 14.19B& proposal end Its overall asbestos The exact time* and location* of the program uro serious end well 40CFR Part 703 hearings will be available by calling EPAYTBCA Assistance Office. doenmented. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen that causes tong IOPTS-MC36; FVtt. M4T-T) Comments on this proposed rule and cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the requests to participate ip the Informal chest and ubdoraina! lining) find is also Asbestos; Proposed Mining and Import Restrictions ervd Proposed Mamrtecturtnq, Importation, and Processing Prohibitions hearings must be submitted by April 29, 1936. Reply comments made In response to Issues raised at each hearing moat be submilted no later than 1 wcok after the licked to other cancers. It hao been estimated that 3400 to 12.000 cancer cases a year occur in the United States as h result of past exposure In asbestos: AOCNCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTIO* Proposed rule. WWIAiir! EPA Is proposing a rule under section 6 of the Toxic Subxtanc** Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit tb<* manufacture, importation, and processing of asbestos in certain products and lo phase out the use n( eebestas in oil other products, The products EPA proposes to ban ttni esbestOB-cement pipe and fittings, roofing felts, flooring fehe fund hut backed sheet flooring). vlnyi-usbrvtc* Door tile, end ushestoe clothing. Under this ruin, EPA would also ulluw only those parsons with permits issued by EPA to mine or import asbestos fur use In products that are not banned. Eventually, all mining or importation of osbestos would be prohibited, cxcflpt for that mining or importation allowed under an exemption pror-es*. EPA la proposing this rule to reduce the serious unreasonable risk to human hiuilth presented by exposure lo asbestos- A* an alternative. EPA is considering prohibiting the manufacture. Imporiutton and processing of categories of ashmilo* products at staged intervals. EPA Is considering banning the manufttetwe.;: importation, and processing o! e3i>e!o* construction products and asboetoa doer unhut hearing. address; Since some comments are exported to contain confidential business Information, all comments should be sent In triplicate to: Document Control Officer (TS-793J. Office of Toxic Substances. Environmental Protection Agency, Rov E-209,401 M St. SW,, Washington. DC 2MOO. Comments vhould Include the docket control number OPTSMttOM. Nonconfidenttal comments end nonconfldenltel versions of confidential drmmcrnfe repaired on this proposal will fe: available for reviewing and copying from 0 o n. to 4 p.ffu, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. In Rm. F.-W7. ui the address given above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT! frlwuni A. Klein, Director, Office of TSCA Assistance (TS-799). Office of Toxic Substances. Environmental Prefectinn Agency. Rm. K-643.401 M St. $W., Washington. DC 20400, Toll (reel {600-424-0003), in Washington. DO f5&+140<). Uutetdo (he USA: (Operator--202-654--1404). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION! 1.1'ilroduction Asbestos, since tho advent of its lerc*i scale lisa, has resulted In thousands pf painful, premature doatb> from lung cancer mid other disenaeft. Decause of almost all of these cancer cases are fatal In addition, asbestos causes aebestosls fa serious lung disorder). About 63,000 persons in the United States arc estimated to be suffering from asbesiosis today. Assuming currant exposure levels. EPA eetimftlet that about 2-560 persons will develop lung cancer or mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos from products made over the next 15 yeore, unless asbestos exposures are reduced through regulatory ectlon. As discussed later, even with a relatively low workplace PEI. of 0.2 f/cc, EPA estimates that almost 1.325 cancers will result bom asbestos products made over the next 15 yeere. The underlying data upon which the risk asaesaments for asbestos are based come from a number of high quality epidemiologic studies. Unlike mutt potantial carcinogens, asbestos has huen studied often end thoroughly for its effects on humans. Asbestos presents a particuivriy Insidious threat because of the unique quality of its fibers These fibers arc small, colorless, odorless. often invisible except through a microscope, and todestractible In most uses. Utoy can he transported on clothe* and olber material*, and they have aerodynamic features that allow ihRm to be easily. suspended und resuspended In the uir and to travel long distances. Once clothing soon after the role's promulgation with the category of asbestos friction products benned uboul byears loter, end other asbestos the widespread use of aabnstos and Its pariiculuf nature, piuoemwal control of tins rirks it presents is not satisfactory; only ehuunui'tur, of ucbetlos to the relft&aod. asbestos fibers uro difficult tu detect und contain, and they readily enlor the ambient air. Thus persons are exposed not only at the lime und place product* banned al a later time. EPA believes that this alternative approach would also be an effective wav of reducing the serious unreusonblc risk extent feudal* will produce acceptable redaction of risks. Prevention of further deuhs. therefore, requires forceful irUngruted action against osbestos risks. of release, but long after the release has occurred end far from Its source. There is constant renewal of risk as asbestos fibers reenter the atmosphere repeatedly presented by exposure to Asbestos uitd To achieve this end, EPA has over Unto. specifically requests comment tm n established a coordinated asbestos Despite the known risks of asbestos, staged bon of asbestos product program, aimed el controlling exposure substantial amounts cf the materiel are categories. Finally, under both this to usbestos tram products already tn vise atlll mined. Imported, and used in alternative and the proposed approach, and eliminating risks from future usea. commercial products. About 240.000 EPA Is considering requiring labeling for The role EPA is proposing today, which metric ton*. for example, were ued all asbestos products that arc nut would ben certain uses of asbuelo* and domestically In 1964. Hundreds of banned, including products phase out all olivet uses, forms a central product* are still made with asbestos. manufactured pursuant lo permits element of this program Regulatory Including paper and textiles, cement Issued by EPA during the phase-down alternatives, which are discussed iu this . pipe end sheet*, tiles end falls, and . period, orpyrsuenl to an exemption notice and which Involve staged bans of automobile brakes. Asbestos fibers are process. The Agency roouests comments various asbestos product categories, released to the air at many stages of the on the feasibility tmd effectiveness of could also form a central element of the commercial fife of theso products. such a requirement. program. Typical activities thnt lead to the FMSI02429