June 24, 2021
On Wednesday, in the case challenging Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase 1 Risk Evaluation for Asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Asbestos Disease Awareness Association (ADAO) et al and EPA filed a joint motion for a 90-day extension, which the Court has now granted.
As stated in the motion:
“Petitioners and respondents have been engaged in positive settlement discussions and believe that a delay in briefing will enable the parties to complete these discussions as efficiently as possible. A 90-day extension of the current July 1 deadline for filing petitioners’ opening brief will conserve the resources of the parties and the Court and enhance the prospects for a successful and timely resolution of this case.”
“This toxic carcinogen is especially insidious as it lays dormant for decades but with only a slight disruption “legacy asbestos” found in homes, schools and workplaces or consumer products can wreak havoc and cause disease and death,” said Linda Reinstein, ADAO co-founder and president.
“Asbestos, a known human carcinogen, is one of the world’s largest man-made disasters and kills over 40,000 Americans each year. Over a century of imports and use continue to plague Americans in every state and city in the nation,” she continued.
“We are hopeful that our discussions will result in a strong framework and schedule for the Phase 2 asbestos risk evaluation and enable needed progress on addressing asbestos under TSCA,” said Robert Sussman, ADAO counsel.
The organizations joining ADAO in these legal actions are:
- The American Public Health Association
- Center for Environmental Health
- Environmental Information Association
- Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families
- Vermont Public Interest Research Group
Scientists participating are:
- Barry Castleman, ScD
- Raja Flores, MD
- Arthur Frank, MD, PhD
- Philip Landrigan, MD, MSc
- Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH
- Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH
To review previous legal actions and outcomes, refer to ADAO v. EPA Cases: Actions and Outcomes to Prevent Asbestos Exposure and Eliminate All Asbestos-Caused Diseases.