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EPA/OCSPP RIN: 2070-AK86 Publication ID: Fall 2021 
Title: Asbestos (Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos); Rulemaking under TSCA Section 6(a) 
Abstract:

Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires EPA to address unreasonable risks of injury to health or the environment that the Administrator has determined are presented by a chemical substance under the conditions of use. Following a risk evaluation for chrysotile asbestos carried out under the authority of TSCA section 6, EPA initiated rulemaking to address unreasonable risks of injury to health identified in the final risk evaluation. EPA's risk evaluation for chrysotile asbestos, describing the conditions of use and presenting EPA's determinations of unreasonable risk, is in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2019-0501, with additional information in docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0736.

 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 751   
Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2605 Toxic Substances Control Act   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Statutory  TSCA sec. 6(c)  12/28/2022 
NPRM  Statutory  TSCA sec. 6(c)  12/28/2021 

Statement of Need: This rulemaking is needed to address the unreasonable risks of chrysotile asbestos that were identified in a risk evaluation completed under TSCA section 6(b). EPA reviewed the exposures and hazards of chrysotile asbestos, the magnitude of risk, exposed populations, severity of the hazard, uncertainties, and other factors. EPA sought input from the public and peer reviewers as required by TSCA and associated regulations.

Summary of the Legal Basis: In accordance with TSCA section 6(a), if EPA determines in a final risk evaluation completed under TSCA section 6(b) that the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, use, or disposal of a chemical substance or mixture, or that any combination of such activities, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, the Agency must issue regulations requiring one or more of the following actions to the extent necessary so that the chemical substance no longer presents an unreasonable risk: (1) Prohibit or otherwise restrict manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce; (2) Prohibit or otherwise restrict for a particular use or above a set concentration; (3) Require minimum warnings and instructions with respect to use, distribution in commerce, or disposal; (4) Require recordkeeping or testing; (5) Prohibit or regulate any manner or method of commercial use; (6) Prohibit or regulate any manner or method of disposal; and/or (7) Direct manufacturers or processors to give notice of the unreasonable risk to distributors and replace or repurchase products if required.

Alternatives: There are no non-regulatory alternatives to this rulemaking. TSCA section 6(a) requires EPA to address by rule chemical substances that the Agency determines present unreasonable risk upon completion of a final risk evaluation. As required under TSCA section 6(c), EPA will consider one or more primary alternative regulatory actions as part of the development of a proposed rule.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: EPA will prepare a regulatory impact analysis as the Agency develops the proposed rule.

Risks: As EPA determined in the TSCA section 6(b) risk evaluation, chrysotile asbestos present unreasonable risks to human health. EPA must issue regulations so that this chemical substance no longer presents an unreasonable risk. For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-existing-chemicals-under-tsca.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/00/2022 
Final Rule  11/00/2023 
Additional Information: .
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State, Tribal 
Federalism: Yes 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Information URL: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-asbestos-part-1-chrysotile-asbestos  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Robert Courtnage
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 7404T,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-1081
Email: courtnage.robert@epa.gov