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Asbestos safety regulations

Talc Safety Topic of Congressional Hearings

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Talc safety has been a concern for years. More recently, the clear possibility of asbestos contamination in talc has led to heightened concern about critical diseases, such as mesothelioma and ovarian cancer being caused by use of talc based products.  

Why is asbestos connected to talc safety?

Both talc and asbestos are minerals found in underground mines. Geologists know that these two minerals are often found intertwined in veins, making cross-contamination a real risk.

Talc everyday uses

Aside from baby powder, talc is used in a wide range of cosmetics for its moisture absorption and silkiness. Recently asbestos was found in four cosmetic products from Claire’s and Justice – both catering to makeup for children. It was also used for feminine hygiene, crayons, children’s toys, chewing gum, and a plethora of common products. There is no safe level of asbestos as its microscopic fibers can infiltrate lungs and harbor the potential for developing into lung cancer, asbestosis, and the deadly mesothelioma for fifty years or more.

Congressional hearings on talc safety

Concerns recently grew when the FDA found asbestos in several products, including baby powder. An initial hearing was conducted in March of 2019 over cosmetic talcum powder’s safety. This hearing specifically focused on talc’s connection with ovarian cancer.

The second hearing was launched when the FDA found asbestos in a sample of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) baby powder in October 2019. Under consideration may be the use of warning labels or regulation of talc products.

Congress speaks

The hearing questioned the testing methods used.  William Longo, founder of Materials Analytical Service, stated, “Independent labs throughout the country and over the course of several decades have documented the presence of asbestos in consumer talc products, including Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. The methods used in the past and today by the industry are not sensitive enough to detect trace levels of asbestos.”

While Longo once denied the presence of asbestos in talc, he stated there is now more sensitive testing. He also received access to thousands of internal J & J documents showing their knowledge of small amounts of asbestos in their talc for decades. There is no safe level, yet J&J kept this information from regulators and the public. Protecting the J&J brand and the public trust of their products was their focus. They now have paid out billions of dollars in thousands of lawsuits with thousands more in process.

The House of Representatives Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy tried to convince the CEO of Johnson & Johnson, Alex Gorsky, to testify at the hearing. He turned down the invitation.

Charles M. Elson, director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, said Gorsky’s refusal made sense as the “CEO and his advisers probably figured that the downside was greater to testifying than not.”

Suit Filed on the EPA to Strengthen Asbestos Regulations

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Eleven attorneys general covering the District of Colombia and ten states went to court with a suit filed on the EPA for more stringent asbestos regulations. Though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a restrictive rule on asbestos in April, they did not ban the deadly substance. The suit filed would force the EPA to proclaim a new, and more thorough, asbestos reporting rule after the EPA denied a petition to gather more data on asbestos.

Asbestos danger leads to suit filed on EPA
No safe level of exposure

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a release addressing the suit filed on the EPA, “It is widely acknowledged that asbestos is one of the most harmful and toxic chemicals known to humankind. While it’s troubling that we must once again take the EPA to court to force the agency to do its job, we won’t pull any punches. There’s too much at stake to let the EPA ignore the danger that deadly asbestos poses to our communities.”

Dangers of asbestos

Asbestos was widely used in a multitude of situations, including construction, mining, shipbuilding, and fireproofing. Use of the material was mostly banned by the end of the 1970s. However, it still exists in homes, businesses, schools, and commercial buildings constructed before 1980. There is no safe use, so proponents for a complete ban have been active for many years.

While its benefits for insulation and fireproofing made it a prime component of construction, its tiny fibers – when disturbed – are easily inhaled by workers or anyone in the vicinity. Asbestos still kills thousands of people each year – some who were exposed 50 years ago due to its long latency period. This can show up in mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

The April EPA rule

This rule was the first EPA action on asbestos use in 30 years, but critics claim that it could still allow some asbestos products to be reintroduced in the market. Alexandra Dapolito Dunn, assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention stated, “If there is any unreasonable risk, the EPA will regulate, and our regulation could take the form of a ban.” But Democrats want to see action – meaning a full ban, not more rules that they perceive as loopholes to asbestos use.

Melanie Benesh, legislative attorney at the Environmental Working Group, wrote, “This new rule makes it more difficult for industry to resume some abandoned uses of asbestos, but that is a half-step at best.” An outright ban “is the only way the public can trust industry will never again be able to use this dangerous material that has literally killed tens of thousands of Americans.”

States in suit filed on the EPA

The ten states suing include: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Two Decades After Ban, Asbestos Still Kills 5,000 Britons Each Year

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Not surprisingly, two decades after the ban, asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year. That’s because symptoms of disease often don’t show up until 20 to 40 years – or more – after exposure. This long exposure time is one of the reasons it is often not recognized as an imminent danger, yet the fibers inhaled many years in the past are poised to show up as lung cancer, asbestosis, or the deadly mesothelioma after the initial exposure is just a memory.

Asbestos still kills 5,000 Britons each year

The long exposure time is only one reason it is still killing after all these years. Though the mineral was outlawed 20 years ago in Britain, asbestos still exists in government, commercial, and residential buildings built before 1999. While not a threat when undisturbed, these buildings often are at an age when renovation, or even demolition, is required. If this work is not done by an authorized abatement company, the possibility of exposure from the dust created is high. To cut corners, renovators and do-it-yourself handymen often skip this critical step and the countdown to possible diseases in the distant future starts again.

The report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) verified that people today are still being exposed – often because of non-compliance with regulations. In the past year, over 130 British companies or individuals were ordered to stop work because of rule-breaking.

As Bev Bessinger, IOSH chief executive said, “It is unacceptable that 20 years on from asbestos being banned in Britain, organisations are still potentially putting at risk the lives of employees, their families, and other members of the public. Thousands die in Britain every year from cancers like mesothelioma, while many more are diagnosed with it. All this is preventable through good occupational safety and health. It is time for organisations to wake up and realise how dangerous asbestos is. There are no excuses.”

Dr. Nick Hopkinson, medical director at the British Lung Foundation, reinforced this message by confirming, “Currently the only treatments available are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and improving quality of life. This devastating disease is preventable, and the dangers of asbestos are well known. It’s vital companies are vigilant and take the proper precautions to protect people from the life-threatening dangers of asbestos, and take urgent action if asbestos has been found.”

Asbestos still kills 15,000 Americans each year

This number of deaths is not acceptable. The United States has not taken the necessary steps to ban asbestos, even though it has been banned in 55 countries. Though some uses are no longer allowed in the US, others are – especially in commercial applications. We know homes and other buildings constructed before the 1980s have a high likelihood of asbestos in areas such as drywall, insulation, siding, roofing, tile mastic, and insulation around pipes. When will the US stop new uses of this deadly mineral?

Brakes on the Toxic Substances Control Act

This act showed promise to finally ban, or strictly control, asbestos as it was identified as one of the ten high risk chemicals set for EPA evaluation. Unfortunately, the ground rules for the EPA’s evaluation under the Trump administration has softened the likelihood of a ban and shockingly, may perhaps even allow new uses of the fiber.

A legacy of death for the future

Like those in the U.K. who work on demolition or renovation of pre-1980 era buildings, workers and their families can be exposed to asbestos if not careful to have suspicious areas checked by an abatement professional. Click here to see a comprehensive FAQ checklist of asbestos products, reporting information, and testing guidelines. Since there is no outright ban, new asbestos-containing materials can still be imported into the US. As seen in the British report, once a ban is in place, people contracting asbestos-related diseases continue for decades into the future. Until importation and new uses are stopped completely, there is no end in sight for the victims of asbestos.

Claire’s Finally Pulled Their Products Containing Asbestos

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Claire’s finally pulled their products containing asbestos when the FDA affirmed the presence of asbestos after testing in 2017 and 2018. Though the removal was voluntary, it occurred only after the FDA issued a warning against the three contaminated products. Since the FDA does not have jurisdiction, they believed this was warranted since Claire’s initially “refused to comply with the FDA’s request, and the agency does not have authority to mandate a recall.” Claire’s steadfastly refuted the FDA’s findings, asserting “the products were “extensively tested by multiple independent accredited laboratories” and “all products were found to be compliant with all relevant cosmetic safety regulations.”

Meanwhile, Frank Pallone, Jr, Energy and Commerce Chairman, stated, “Examples like Claire’s’ refusal to voluntarily recall their asbestos-tainted products demonstrates the need to modernize the current regulatory framework for cosmetic and personal care products to ensure that the FDA can act to protect consumers when industry fails to do so.”

Claire’s finally pulled their products

Claire’s sold the affected products between October 2016 and March 2019. While they are no longer in the stores, some households possibly continue to harbor the three products pinpointed. To check your home, the products are:

• Claire’s Eyeshadows, UPC #888711847165, SKU #84716, Lot No. 08/17
• Claire’s Compact Powder, UPC #888711839153, SKU #83915, Lot No. 07/15
• Claire’s Contour Palette, UPC #888711401947, SKU #40194, Lot No. 04/17

The identifying numbers are found on the price stickers on the product. Batch numbers are found beneath the ingredient lists on the back panels.

The original products pulled from stores in December of 2017 were Ultimate Mega Make Up Set, Metallic Hot Pink Glitter 48-Piece Makeup Set, Bedazzled Rainbow Heart Makeup Set, Rainbow Bedazzled Star Make Up Set, Rainbow Glitter Heart Shaped Makeup Set, Mint Glitter Make Up Set, Rainbow Bedazzled Rectangle Make Up Set, and Pink Glitter Palette with Eyeshadow & Lip Gloss. Again, if these still remain in your home, dispose of them or return the item to the Claire’s store.

For more information

If you want more information, contact Claire’s at 800-252-4737, option 2, from 9:30 AM – 7 PM EDT.

Petition Filed by 15 Attorney Generals for EPA to Enhance Asbestos Reporting Rules

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Attorney Generals in 14 states, plus the District of Colombia, have petitioned the EPA to enhance asbestos reporting rules. This would “address deficiencies” observed in the current chemical data reporting (CDR) asbestos rule. The petition asserts that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a mandate to perform asbestos risk evaluations and create regulations that deal with all unreasonable human or environmental risks.

Specific ways for the EPA to enhance asbestos reporting rules

• Close exemptions that exist in the CDR for naturally occurring substances and impurities.
• Extend the reporting requirements to processors of asbestos.
• Require notification of the substance’s use in articles.

Basically, this petition and an earlier one presented to the EPA in September of 2018, request all importers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products to inform the EPA of how and where they will be used. A current example of the need for these rules is a loophole that allowed Occidental Chemical Corporation–the largest asbestos importer– to import asbestos into the United States without notifying the EPA.

Supporters of the 2018 petition included the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the American Public Health Association (APHA), Center for Environmental Health (CEH), Environmental Working Group (EWG), Environmental Health Strategies Center (EHSC), and Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families (SCHF). This petition was denied.

The dangers of asbestos

While asbestos is naturally occurring, that does not mean it is not a danger. It is a known carcinogen. Researchers believe approximately 40,000 Americans die annually from asbestos-related diseases. Diseases range from asbestosis, to lung cancer, and most deadly – mesothelioma. While many countries have banned its use, the US has not, though there are limitations.

2016 changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act

Loopholes were a concern when the EPA made changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act at the beginning of the Trump administration. In general, instead of all new uses coming before the EPA to assess risk, only 15 specific uses would bring about a federal assessment. These 15 uses are relatively common, so new uses could slip in without review.

Attorney General Maura Healey of Massachusetts asserted, “In recent years, tens of thousands have died from mesothelioma and other diseases caused by exposure to asbestos and other dangerous chemicals. If the Trump administration’s erosion of federal chemical safety rules continues, it will endanger our communities and the health of all Americans.”

EPA response

The EPA’s response, led by EPA’s acting administrator, Andrew Wheeler, said their plan would make it more difficult to use asbestos in products. The agency asserted that it “is aware of all ongoing uses of asbestos and already has the information that EPA would receive if EPA were to amend the CDR requirements.” Because the risk evaluations under the reformed TSCA must be completed by December, there was not time to change the rule and assemble the information in time – although there is a possible six-month extension.

Attorney generals’ response

The attorneys assert that the public has a right to know of dangers to their health and how to avoid and eliminate exposures. “Neither of these goals can be accomplished,” the attorneys said,” if EPA does not possess the necessary comprehensive data with respect to the manufacture (including import) and use of asbestos in the US on which to act – data that currently EPA is not collecting under the CDR, as EPA concedes” in its response and denial to the previous petitioners.

Going forward

The ADAO President and CEO, Linda Reinstein, expressed the thoughts of many when she said, “We are grateful and pleased that the states are showing leadership in holding the Trump EPA accountable for its reckless disregard of public health. When they denied ADAO’s petition, EPA irresponsibly refused to collect information that its own scientists need to do their jobs properly and that workers and the public need so they know whether they are being exposed to asbestos and can protect themselves from harm.”

The EPA response to this latest petition, filed on January 31, is required within 90 days.