The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reportedly laid down a new rule permitting asbestos to be allowed to return into the U.S. manufacturing sector, despite the material being considered as one of the most hazardous carcinogens used in construction materials. As per records, EPA had authorized a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) on June 1 2018, which upholds any existing bans on the use of asbestos but permits the development of new products containing asbestos on a case-by-case basis.

A previous report released by EPA in May detailed a new framework aimed at evaluating the risk of top prioritized substances on its list. The report mentioned that EPA will not consider the effect or presence of substances in ground, water or air anymore, while undertaking risk assessments.

The concerned proposal would have an effect on a variety of asbestos uses associated with manufacturing which the EPA no longer identifies as ongoing, claims a report by the Newsweek. Such new uses of asbestos would include sealants, adhesives, roof and non-roof coatings, arc chutes, roofing felt, fuel cell separators, vinyl-asbestos floorings and many other building materials apart from cement, the EPA has further stated.

Records indicate that annually, close to 40,000 deaths are asbestos-related with lung cancer and mesothelioma being the major associated disorders. A large amount of asbestos in the U.S. is said to be used in manufacturing processes to make chlorine, deployed in the production of pipes, tiles, paints, floors, adhesives, roofing products and other building components made of chlorine-based PVC or vinyl plastics.

The report which presented the EPA statement indicated that the decision of the U.S. administration to allow the toxin back into construction was influenced by President Donald Trump’s personal views on asbestos. Trump believed that the ban against asbestos for primarily instigated by the pressure of mob-related companies on the previous governments.