Asbestos is becoming more and more mainstream by the day. We hear more about asbestos on the news, and some laws and regulations help to protect us, but asbestos is still not entirely banned in the United States. Asbestos is still entering our country and exposing people daily. Below we will discuss a few reasons why asbestos should be banned in the United States.

Asbestos is a Carcinogen

Asbestos causes cancer. It also exclusively caused mesothelioma, which is an aggressive cancer than can affect your lungs, stomach, and heart. Asbestos fibers are little and can be ingested through your mouth or nose, where they become trapped. Over time asbestos fibers cause lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other major respiratory illnesses.

It is Not Fully Banned in The United States

The United States and Canada are the last of the industrialized nations not to ban asbestos. Over 50 countries have banned asbestos, as it is a carcinogen and hazardous to all who come into contact with it. Regulations and laws are in place to help protect people from exposure, but it is still not completely banned. This puts us at risk of cancers and other illnesses from asbestos exposure.

Workplace Exposure

Asbestos exposure usually occurred to workers in specific industries, but that is no longer the case. Asbestos exposure is happening in schools and even hospitals. Once, miners and railroad workers were at the highest risk. Today, over 125 million people have been exposed to their workplaces. Most asbestos exposure is still occurring in specific industries, like manufacturing, but other jobs are now at risk.

The above reasons are reason enough to have asbestos banned in the United States, but yet it is still entering our country in the form of manufactured goods. With more and more laws and regulations being put in place, there is still hope that this terrible fiber will eventually be entirely banned.