Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releasing its draft risk evaluation of asbestos:
“This action is unlawful and demonstrates the lengths this Administration will take to undermine public health, even during the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Publishing this long-awaited proposal for public comment now - in the midst of a declared national emergency - shows just how out of touch the Trump Administration is. Americans and our public health community do not have the time right now to review and offer comment on this proposal.
“What’s more, this proposal doubles down on the approach to asbestos risk evaluation that was already rejected by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Under that ruling, and under the plain language of the Toxic Substances Control Act, EPA is required to include legacy uses of asbestos in its risk evaluation. The Trump EPA needs to remember that federal court rulings are not merely a suggestion and stop excluding the risks posed by legacy uses in order to manipulate the science and exonerate asbestos.
“It is now clear that this EPA has no intention of addressing this dangerous, proven carcinogen. Therefore, Congress must pass the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act and put an end to this public health threat once and for all."
