It’s been a month since the Environmental Protection Agency handed down its ruling banning asbestos, and the agency is already facing litigation from both chemical industry lobbyists saying it goes too far and mesothelioma advocates who say it doesn’t go far enough.
Mesothelioma Advocates File Suit in Different Court from Asbestos Industry
The EPA finds itself in an odd position, facing off against legal opponents holding widely divergent positions: While the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, labor unions, and others are advocating on behalf of mesothelioma victims and seeking even more stringent laws banning asbestos, industry stakeholders argue that their asbestos use poses no health risks and should be allowed to continue.
In an interesting reflection of legal strategies, the opposing arguments have been filed in different courts, with the chemical industry choosing to file its petitions in the conservative 5th, 6th, and 11th circuit courts and mesothelioma advocates filing petitions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which is perceived as holding more liberal views.
Petitions Reflect Differing Goals of Mesothelioma Advocates
While the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) and labor unions are both arguing that the EPA’s rule should have gone further, they each offer different reasons: While ADAO asserts a more proactive stance that seeks greater protections against the risk of mesothelioma, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is voicing concerns that the ban doesn’t provide interim occupational exposure standards during the EPA’s proposed phase-out period.
As the chemical industry continues to argue that their asbestos use poses no risks of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, those diagnosed with the condition continue to fight their own battles. For information on the support the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can provide, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
