Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by

SNUR asbestos rule allows manufacture, import & processing of new asbestos products

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the U.S is to go ahead with plans to introduce a new asbestos rule known as SNUR.

There are fears that the introduction of this new asbestos rule will mean an expansion in the use of asbestos on a commercial level.

Asbestos is a dangerous mineral that has been proven to cause deadly diseases such as mesothelioma.

SNUR was 1st proposed in June 2018 by the EPA.

If the proposed ruling is given the go ahead, it will mean that companies will be authorised to manufacture, import and process more than a dozen asbestos containing products that are no longer in use, just so long as the EPA approves them first under the new asbestos rule.

The EPA explain, “The Agency has found no information indicating that the following uses are ongoing, and therefore, the following uses are subject to this proposed SNUR: Adhesives, sealants, and roof and non-roof coatings; arc chutes; beater-add gaskets; extruded sealant tape and other tape; filler for acetylene cylinders; high-grade electrical paper; millboard; missile liner; pipeline wrap; reinforced plastics; roofing felt; separators in fuel cells and batteries; vinyl-asbestos floor tile; and any other building material [other than cement].”

Although asbestos has been banned throughout at least 60 countries worldwide, including the whole of Europe, it still isn’t banned in the U.S., just regulated.

A variety of their products still contain asbestos such as brake pads, some roofing materials, corrugated sheeting and automobile clutches.

Asbestos was listed within the top 10 list of dangerous chemicals by the EPA in December 2016, meaning it would be subject to risk evaluations by the agency.

But with the introduction of SNUR, those campaigning against asbestos are worried that it will lead to new or revitalized uses of asbestos, and products will creep back into homes, schools and public buildings.

Which Asbestos Products will be included under SNUR asbestos rule?

There are 14 asbestos product categories that the EPA have listed under their new SNUR asbestos rule.

They describe these categories to be where manufacturing, importing and processing for the use is no longer ongoing, but was used previously in the U.S before 25th August 1989.

Companies intending to either manufacture, import or process such goods for new use will be required to notify the EPA at least 90 days beforehand.

Here are the SNUR asbestos product categories:-

• Adhesives, Sealants and Roof and Non-Roof Coatings: The automobile industry used asbestos extensively in a variety of adhesives, sealants and coatings. Non-roof coatings were used to prevent corrosion, while asbestos roof coatings were used to repair roofs and seal around chimneys and ventilation pipes.
• Arc Chutes: These ceramic chutes were used to guide electric arcs in motor starter units in electrical engineering plants.
• Beater-Add Gaskets: Asbestos fibers were added to beater-add paper to seal components of internal combustion engines and exhaust manifolds.
• Millboard: Asbestos was added to this heavy cardboard-like product for insulation, gasketing, fireproofing and prevention of corrosion and rot.
• Filler for Acetylene Cylinders: Asbestos was added to steel acetone cylinders for suspension, insulation and fire protection.
• High-Grade Electrical Paper: Used for high-temperature, low-voltage applications such as motors, switch gears, transformers, generators and other heavy electrical equipment.
• Missile Liner: The U.S. military and NASA mixed asbestos with rubber to insulate rockets and rocket boosters used in weapons and space shuttles.
• Extruded Sealant Tape and Other Tape: Made of butyl rubber and asbestos, this semi-liquid mixture would solidify when exposed to air, forming a tape used for sealing building window, car windshields and mobile home windows. It was also used by the aerospace industry.
• Separators in Fuel Cells and Batteries: The aerospace industry used asbestos as an insulator and separator between the negative and positive terminals of a fuel cell.
• Reinforced Plastics: Automotive and appliance manufacturers used asbestos to reinforce plastics for electro-mechanical parts. The aerospace industry also used asbestos-reinforced plastics.
• Pipeline Wrap: The oil and gas industry used asbestos-containing felt to coat pipelines, cooling towers and steam pipes.
• Roofing Felt: Similar to pipeline wrap, this single or multilayered felt was used to strengthen roofing and resist rot, fire and heat.
• Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile: Vinyl floor tiles are durable and cheap. The flooring industry mixed asbestos into these tiles to add more insulation and resistance to damage.
• Other Building Materials: Includes insulation, plasters, mastics, textured paints and block filler paints for coating masonry.

Asbestos Products not included in SNUR

There are still lots of products used in the U.S containing asbestos that SNUR won’t evaluate, including:-

• Raw bulk chrysotile asbestos for the manufacture of diaphragms used in chlorine and sodium hydroxide production
• Woven products
• Sheet gaskets for use in titanium dioxide chemical production
• Gaskets and packing
• Brake blocks for use in oil drilling
• Aftermarket automotive brake linings and other vehicle friction products
• Cement products

In 1989, the EPA attempted to ban asbestos completely by introducing the ‘Asbestos Ban and Phase-Out Rule’.

But this backfired as they were sued by asbestos manufacturers and the new rule was overturned by an appeals court in 1991.

Instead, the courts ruled that the EPA could ban six product categories if the products were not currently being manufactured, processed or imported as of July 12th 1989.

Those products that the EPA decided to ban at the time included spray-on insulation, rollboard, flooring felt, corrugated paper, commercial paper, specialty paper and new uses of asbestos.

Worryingly, if this new SNUR rule is given the go ahead, it would overturn the previous ban on new uses.

Deputy assistant administrator at the EPA’s chemical safety office, Nancy Beck, said the SNUR proposal will strengthen asbestos regulations.

She said, “We’re really closing the door on those uses that are not happening now, but there’s nothing preventing them from starting.  If somebody wanted to start doing it there’s nothing preventing them. So we wanted to sort of look at the whole landscape and make sure that if anyone started a use we would be able to evaluate it.”

Source of article:-  https://www.asbestos.com/news/2018/08/24/epa-asbestos-new-uses/

Did you enjoy reading about the EPA’s new asbestos rule?  Then check out our other posts below.

Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.

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Published Sep 04, 2018