EPA’s Asbestos Rule Likely to Feature in Toxic Tort Litigation

The EPA’s rule banning the sole asbestos known to be used in the US will spur more court fights over evidence to be presented to juries, but won’t significantly increase the amount of toxic tort cases filed, according to defense and plaintiffs’ attorneys.

The Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday that it will ban imports of chrysotile asbestos, the only raw fiber that’s known to be imported into the country. The agency also will ban all known uses of the cancer-causing mineral and imported equipment made with it.

“Normally you’d say this will be manna from heaven for the plaintiffs ...