Last month, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in California announced that Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with the Attorney General from Massachusetts, led a twelve-state coalition in submitting a comment letter supporting the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed new regulations to better protect workers and the public from asbestos exposure.

According to the OAG announcement:
Today's multistate comment letter supports the EPA's ban on the manufacture, import, processing, distribution in commerce, use and disposal of chrysotile asbestos under certain conditions of use, including in friction products and as used in the chlor-alkali industry. The coalition also asks EPA to go further, and ban other forms of asbestos beyond chrysotile asbestos. In anticipation of other toxic substances that could replace the use of chrysotile asbestos, the coalition argues for the EPA to extend its ban to regulate “forever” PFAS, a chemical commonly used as a replacement for asbestos, in the diaphragm industry. In the comment letter, the coalition also urges the agency to undertake a robust analysis of legacy asbestos present in the built environment, other types of asbestos, and conditions of use of asbestos-containing talc, as it has committed to do in its Part 2 risk evaluation of asbestos.

“This is good news for the residents of California as it has been known for decades that exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer over time,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing's Huntington Beach facility. “While the use of asbestos today is quite limited to a few industries, it was once used in thousands of products. These include building materials that can still be found in homes, schools, businesses and other buildings. Once these materials become friable with age, or are disturbed during demolition, renovation or remodeling activities, they can quickly become an exposure hazard.”

In California, LA Testing offers quick and affordable asbestos testing services. With multiple locations, they offer laboratory services to detect asbestos from bulk materials as well as from industrial hygiene and environmental samples. They also provide sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and personal protective equipment (PPE). These services protect workers, building occupants and help to keep companies in regulatory compliance.

To learn more about asbestos or other building science, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to asbestos and other environmental test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California's leading laboratory for indoor environmental quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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