BEAUMONT, Texas — This week the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a ban on the last form of asbestos used in the U.S.
The cancer causing agent is said to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year.
12News spoke with an attorney to find out how this is affecting Southeast Texans.
"Asbestos is an absolute killer. Millions of Americans have been killed or made sick by asbestos. And yet there are still a limited number of industries and employers who are willing to continue to expose their employees to something they know can kill them." said personal injury attorney Bryan Blevins.
This announcement comes 40 years after a partial ban the EPA on the use of asbestos products in the U.S.
"Historically, when you're talking about 60s, 70s, 80s you're talking about a lot of uses. Both in the home and also in the industrial complex," Blevins said.
Blevins says the toxin will phase out over the next 5 to 10 years.
"There's a lot of different potential hazards in your home that could contain asbestos," said asbestos consultant Jim Griffin.
He says the toxin is found in brake pads, chlorine bleach and popcorn ceilings to name a few things.
"The friable asbestos is what's gonna get down into your lungs. You can use normal hand pressure and break it up," Griffin said.
Concerned homeowners are urged to hire a professional when trying to determine if your home could be impacted.
"If there is asbestos we would write project specifications on how it needs to be removed whether through containment or RFCI methods or different methodologies to remove it," said Blevins.
The ban in the U.S. comes after more than 50 countries have already restricted its use.
"This isn't going to protect the people who have already been exposed. This is going to prevent a person in the future from being exposed and getting sick years from now," Blevins told 12News.