When Was Asbestos Banned in The U.S.?

Asbestos is not currently banned in the United States. While its use is limited and restricted by many laws, it is still legal for certain purposes despite nearly 70 countries banning asbestos entirely due to its negative health effects.
Over the years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken several measures to prohibit the use of asbestos. In 1989, the EPA banned the manufacture, import, and distribution of certain asbestos-containing products while prohibiting new uses. In April 2019, the agency issued additional restrictions on discontinued uses of asbestos, ensuring that these products cannot return to the market.
In December 2020, the EPA found unreasonable risks to human health for all ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos. As a result, in April 2022, the EPA proposed a ban on the ongoing use of chrysotile asbestos, which is currently the only known form of asbestos imported into the U.S.
The proposed rule aims to protect American workers and families from the risks of asbestos exposure by prohibiting the manufacture, processing, distribution, and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos.