How Many Dead Firefighters Does It Take to Ban Asbestos?

Jim Hightower's Lowdown

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If your home or business is suddenly being engulfed in flames, you count on a quick response from the fire department. But who rushes to aid firefighters when so many of the burning buildings they enter are contaminated with chrysotile asbestos – a cancer-causing product so deadly that it’s banned in over 50 countries? So far, no one.

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This nasty toxic (widely used in construction materials, car parts, and even water systems), infiltrates lungs and kills some 40,000 Americans a year, especially firefighters. For the last 30 years, victims, health advocates, and others have been pushing to stop using the deadly stuff – but chemical profiteers and the politicians they pay kept defeating these efforts.

In 2016, though, Congress finally empowered the EPA to ban it.

Great! But that same year, Trump happened. With his usual deep analysis, concern for workers, and respect for science, he mindlessly proclaimed asbestos “100 percent safe,” even declaring that the movement to ban it was “led by the mob.” Thus, his EPA did nothing… and deaths continued.

Then came Joe Biden, and – Hallelujah! – EPA has now announced that it is “finally slamming the door on manufacturing, importing, and using chrysotile asbestos.” When? Twelve years from now. What? Yes, that’s a very sloooow-motion slamming. Biden wanted the ban to take effect in two years, but industry lobbyists screeched. So, our government chose not to “rush” to aid firefighters and others who’ll be killed by this policy of putting corporate profits over their lives.

Remember this whenever political hucksters demand that you vote to eliminate “regulatory burdens.” Burdens for whom – asbestos peddlers or firefighters? And beware: Here comes Trump again, promising to eliminate public regulations if he’s elected. Really? Who will benefit from that?

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To learn more about fighting toxic chemicals and to advocate for sound policy, check out the Environmental Working Group.