Document o7YqRQ37M3qD8p00rg8NLVeo

FILE NAME: Drywall Spackling Compounds (DWSC) DATE: 2002 DOC#: DWSC081 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Consumer Product Safety Commission Press Release - Ban of Certain Products with Respirable Free-Form Asbestos U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Office o f Compliance Bans* of Consumer Patching Compounds and Artificial Emberizing Materials Containing Respirable Free-Form Asbestos 16 C.F.R. Parts 1304 and 1305 What is the purpose o f the ban on patching compounds and artificial ash and embers that contain respirablefree-form asbestos? These regulations eliminate from certain products repirable free-form asbestos fibers that may cause lung or other cancers. Where can I find the bans on consumerpatching compounds and emberizing materials containing asbestos? The bans are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) in Title 16, Parts 1304 and 1305. You can obtain the banning regulation from the Commission's web site at: http://\vww.epsc.gov What is respirablefree-form asbestos? Respirable free-form asbestos is asbestos that is not bound, woven, or otherwise "locked in" by a glue or resin to a patching compound or to artificial ashes or embers. Because they are not locked in. asbestos fibers can get into the air and be inhaled when the patching compounds are sanded or the ashes and embers are heated. Whatforms o f asbestos are subject to the ban? The bans cover products containing amosite, chrysolite, crocidolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, and tremoiite asbestos. Which products must meet this regulation? The ban covers the following products containing asbestos: (1) Products such as spackling compounds, tape joint compounds, and other mixtures that consumers use to patch or seal cracks, holes, or other imperfections in drywall and other surfaces. These products may be in dry form ready to be mixed with water or may be an already-mixed paste. The ban only applies to patching compounds to which asbestos has been intentionally added as an ingredient or which contain asbestos because the manufacturer knowingly used a raw material that contained asbestos. When a manufacturer finds out that a patching compound contains asbestos, the Commission will consider the manufacturer to have knowingly used a raw' material containing asbestos, unless the manufacturer reduces the amount of asbestos as much as is feasible. (2) Decorative simulated ashes or embers that are placed under artificial logs in gas-buming fireplaces and that, when heated, glow' like real burning embers. The ban includes material containing asbestos that is glued to artificial logs either at the factory or by consumers using an "emberizing" kit, and also covers artificial embers and ashes used in artificial fireplaces for decorative purposes. Synthetic logs made of cellulosic material that bum completely are not subject to the ban, nor are electric artificial logs and artificial ash beds used in electric fireplaces, wdiich do not contain asbestos. Where can I find additional information? For more information on the requirements, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Compliance, Washington. D.C. 20207, telephone (301) 504-7913, mailuusectl Stfrcpsc.gov ' This document is a simple unofficial description o f the ban on certain products that contain asbestos and does not replace or supersede any requirements published in 16 C.F.R. 1104 and 1505 (August. 2002)