Given the dangers associated with asbestos exposure, one would think that lawmakers would completely ban this dangerous material in the United States. Unfortunately, however, that is not the case – not by a long shot.
In fact, while the dangers of asbestos have been known for years, you can still find it in several products, ranging from automotive parts to clothing, and many things in between.
10 Products That May Still Contain Asbestos
Even though asbestos is banned in some situations by certain federal laws – such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) – the unfortunate reality is that it is completely legal to use asbestos in several consumer products.
For instance, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), federal law does not ban the manufacturing, distribution or importation of the following products, even if they contain asbestos:
- Clothing
- Vinyl floor tile
- Millboard
- Roof coatings
- Disk brake pads
- Brake blocks
- Drum brake linings
- Automatic transmission components
- Gaskets
- Cement shingle
It is also important to keep in mind that this list doesn’t even include the many older/discontinued asbestos products that may be in your home – products you may be completely unaware of.
In any case, if you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, the first thing you should do is seek medical treatment and have the suspected material professionally tested for asbestos. If you or a loved one ever develops a medical condition following exposure, you should also consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.