EPA has proposed a rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, distribution in commerce and commercial use of chrysotile asbestos used in the chlor-alkali industry.
According to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), while the total production of chlorine used for water supply is approximately 5 percent of the chlor-alkali market by volume, with tightening supply chains, this could still greatly impact drinking water systems. AMWA says its staff will be tracking this rulemaking and is asking members to notify them if their chlorine suppliers have indicated that this will affect them. Please contact Brian Redder at AMWA with any information related to this issue.
AMWA says it will be submitting comments to EPA on this topic, in consultation with the Regulatory Committee. The proposed rule’s comment period ends June 13.
