Which federal agency is responsible for regulating asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)?

The federal agency responsible for regulating asbestos under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The TSCA was enacted in 1976 to provide the EPA with the authority to oversee the use of chemicals that pose a risk to health or the environment, including asbestos.

Under TSCA, the EPA conducts assessments, regulates new uses of asbestos, and can ban substances that are determined to pose an unreasonable risk. This is particularly significant for asbestos due to its well-documented health hazards, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

In contrast, while OSHA is focused on ensuring workplace safety and health standards, it does not specifically regulate substances under TSCA. The Federal Trade Commission oversees advertising and marketing practices rather than environmental health, and NIOSH focuses on research and recommendations for health and safety in the workplace, without direct regulatory authority under TSCA.

Thus, the EPA’s role in regulating asbestos is critical for protecting public health and safety from the risks associated with this hazardous material.