What is the primary federal regulation that governs asbestos?

The primary federal regulation that governs asbestos is the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This legislation, enacted in 1976, was designed to give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate the introduction of new or existing chemicals, including asbestos. The TSCA specifically addresses the manufacture, importation, use, and disposal of hazardous substances. Under this act, the EPA has the power to ban or restrict the use of asbestos if it is deemed to pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment.

While the Clean Air Act is critical for regulating air quality and controlling emissions of hazardous air pollutants, it doesn’t focus exclusively on asbestos as a substance and is not the primary regulation governing its use. The Clean Water Act regulates discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act pertains to hazardous waste management, neither of which primarily governs asbestos itself. Thus, the Toxic Substances Control Act is the most relevant federal regulation for asbestos management and safety.