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S5235119th CongressWALLET

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Nationwide ban on commercial asbestos that stops making, processing, using, or selling commercial asbestos and products that contain it, while carving out narrowly defined, time-limited exceptions for specific industries and uses.

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  • Owners and occupants: Materials and products containing asbestos that were installed in buildings or equipment before enactment can remain in place, and distribution solely for disposal is allowed under existing disposal rules.
  • Chlor-alkali workers and facilities: Facilities operating on enactment date may keep using asbestos diaphragms under strict interim exposure controls until May 25, 2032, with a possible extension to May 25, 2036 if they meet ownership and conversion conditions.
  • Industry and security carve-outs: Sheet gaskets follow the compliance schedule in 40 C.F.R. Part 751 Subpart F as in effect on enactment. The extraction and processing of metal ores is not covered by the ban. The President may grant narrow national security exemptions for up to 3 years, extendable once for up to 3 years, with terms to limit exposure.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Nationwide ban on commercial asbestos

This bill would ban making, using, processing, or selling "commercial asbestos" under TSCA on the date of enactment. It would exclude items installed before enactment and items distributed only for disposal. Chlor-alkali plants operating on enactment could use chrysotile diaphragms until May 25, 2032. Certain operators meeting ownership and conversion tests tied to May 28, 2024 and May 28, 2029 could extend to May 25, 2036. Sheet gaskets would follow existing 40 C.F.R. part 751 Subpart F phase-out rules. The President could grant short national-security exemptions up to 3 years, plus one 3-year renewal. EPA would be barred from using TSCA section 22 to waive this ban.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 8/4/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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