Make America Sick Again: Trump Reconsiders Asbestos Ban as Health Experts Sound the Alarm Arrow

Donald Trump's EPA plans to reconsider a ban on cancer-causing asbestos that is outlawed in more than 50 other countries. After his administration cancelled grants aimed at keeping children safe from toxic chemicals and helped corporate polluters contaminate Americans' drinking water, Trump is threatening working families' health and safety yet again.

NEW: Donald Trump's EPA plans to reconsider a ban on cancer-causing asbestos, putting Americans' health and safety at risk.

New York Times: "The Trump administration plans to reconsider a ban on the last type of asbestos still used in the United States, according to a court filing on Monday.

"The move, which could halt enforcement of the ban for several years during the reconsideration, is a major blow to a decades-long battle by health advocates to prohibit the carcinogenic mineral in all its forms.

"Known as 'white' asbestos, chrysotile asbestos is banned in more than 50 countries for its link to lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of internal organs. …

"Last year the Environmental Protection Agency, under President Joseph R. Biden, adopted a ban on the use, manufacture and import of chrysotile asbestos. …

"Now, the Trump administration plans to delay the ban and reconsider the rule."

Associated Press: "Advocates blasted the move as weakening prohibitions against a deadly carcinogen.

"'This latest move by Administrator Lee Zeldin and EPA is yet another alarming signal that this administration is operating without limits as they dole out favors to polluter lobbyists without regard for the health and well-being of people living in the US,' said Michelle Roos, executive director of the Environmental Protection Network, a nonprofit."

The Trump administration previously cancelled grants aimed at protecting children from toxic chemicals.

New York Times: "E.P.A. Set to Cancel Grants Aimed at Protecting Children From Toxic Chemicals"

"The grants are designed to address a range of issues, including improving the health of children in rural America who have been exposed to pesticides from agriculture and other pollution; reducing exposure to wildfire smoke; and preventing 'forever chemicals' from contaminating the food supply. …

"Many grants involve issues that affect regions of the country where voters supported Mr. Trump."

REMINDER: Trump put corporate polluters over Americans' health and safety, helping big corporations save billions by dumping toxic chemicals into Americans' drinking water.

Washington Post: "EPA will weaken rule curbing 'forever chemicals' in drinking water"

"The drinking water rules were adopted as part of the Biden administration's efforts to limit public exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hazardous chemicals linked to a range of serious illnesses. …

"The EPA estimates that more than 158 million Americans are exposed to PFAS through their drinking water. …

"According to the [EPA] estimates, the [Biden administration] standard would cost utilities about $1.5 billion a year."

The Guardian: "The EPA is attempting actions that violate the law, some say, and Biden administration's progress can't be fully undone …

"[T]he moves would deliver a clear win for the US chemical and water utility industries"

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