Other information related to asbestos exposure?

The organizations listed below can provide more information about asbestos exposure.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is the principal Federal agency responsible for evaluating the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances. This agency works in close collaboration with local, state, and other Federal agencies, with tribal governments, and with communities and local health care providers to help prevent or reduce harmful human health effects from exposure to hazardous substances. The ATSDR provides information about asbestos and where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. The ATSDR can be contacted at:

Organization: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Address: 4770 Buford Highway, NE.
Atlanta, GA 30341
Telephone: 1–800–232–4636 (1–800–CDC–INFO)
TTY: 1–888–232–6348
E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Internet Web site: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the general public’s exposure to asbestos in buildings, drinking water, and the environment. The EPA offers a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Hotline and an Asbestos Ombudsman. The TSCA Hotline provides technical assistance and information about asbestos programs implemented under the TSCA, which include the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. The Asbestos Ombudsman focuses on asbestos in schools and handles questions and complaints. Both the TSCA Hotline and the Asbestos Ombudsman can provide publications on a number of topics, particularly on controlling asbestos exposure in schools and other buildings. The Ombudsman operates a toll-free hotline for small businesses, trade associations, and others seeking free, confidential help.

The EPA Web site includes a list of EPA regional and state asbestos contacts at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/regioncontact.html on the Internet. In addition, EPA’s Asbestos and Vermiculite home page provides information about asbestos and its health effects and links to asbestos resources, including suggestions for homeowners who suspect asbestos in their homes, and laws and regulations applicable to asbestos. This page can be found at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos on the Internet. Questions may be directed to:

Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA West Building
National Program Chemicals Division
Address: Mail Code 7404T
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20460
TSCA Hotline: 202–554–1404
TTY: 202–554–0551
Asbestos Ombudsman: 1–800–368–5888
E-mail: tsca-hotline@epa.gov
Internet Web site: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos

Another EPA resource that may be of interest is the brochure titled Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers. Released in April 2007, this brochure includes work practices for both automotive professionals and home mechanics that may be used to avoid asbestos exposure. It also summarizes existing OSHA regulatory requirements for professional auto mechanics. The brochure can be found at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/brakesbrochure.html on the Internet.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products, including asbestos, under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC maintains a toll-free 24-hour hotline where callers can obtain product safety and other agency information and report unsafe products. In addition, CPSC publications provide guidelines for repairing and removing asbestos, and general information about asbestos in the home. CPSC can be contacted at:

Organization: Office of Information and Public Affairs
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Address: 4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: 1–800–638–2772
TTY: 1–800–638–8270
E-mail: info@cpsc.gov
Internet Web site: http://www.cpsc.gov

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