U.S. fully bans asbestos, which kills 40,000 a year
U.S. fully bans asbestos, which kills 40,000 a year
In a move the EPA deemed ‘historic,’ the agency has banned chrysotile asbestos, the only form of the cancer-causing mineral that the U.S. still imports and uses
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Do I get money to change the asbestos siding on the house I just bought?
No. A lot of those uses aren't particularly dangerous unless you start doing things like drilling holes in it or otherwise producing dust. If it needs to be replaced, you're on the hook for hiring somebody to remove it safely. Its use in new construction has been banned for decades.
This is just a ban on the last few uses of it.
The last I knew in the US you have a choice to remove it yourself, you can be as safe or unsafe as you see fit, there a very few rules. Or you pay a company which must follow strict regulation on its removal.
IIRC, once you get it tested and confirm it’s asbestos you do have to go through an abatement process. However, if you never confirm it then yeah it’s pretty much the Wild West.
I wouldn't be surprised if that was true in some states. Look up the rules where you are.
This is correct. The only thing that is regulated is the disposal (at least in WA) - otherwise home owners are legally allowed to remove it themselves as they see fit. Not that I recommend it if you don't know what you're doing, but you won't get a fine.
Source: am homeowner who (with saftey precautions such as a tent of 3 mil plastic, negative airflow, HEPA shopvac, soap and water, and a proper respirator) removed asbestos tape from my duct work.
Even drilling a few holes is pretty whatever. Just wear a respirator. Continued prolonged exposure is what will give you cancer. A couple random holes and single exposures aren't gonna be a death sentence.
I have an asbestos siding home and low-key love it. It's a great insulator, super durable, holds paint forever. Nobody should install it ever again, however. Once it's there, it's there for good. If it's damaged and needs replaced, then you've got problems. Remediation and removel is ungodly expensive.
Are you a millionaire?
Are you near a wildfire prone area? Could come in handy if you are.