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The Environmental Protection Agency is receiving through Aug. 10 public comments on a proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) that would allow use of asbestos, a known carcinogen, in certain building materials and other products.

The 鈥渟ignificant new use鈥� in this rule refers to manufacturing and other processes where asbestos is not currently in use. This includes adhesives, sealants, roof and non-roof coatings, extrudable sealant tape, high-grade electrical paper, millboard, pipeline wrap, reinforced plastics, roofing felt, asbestos floor tile and any other building materials other than cement. The use is considered new if initiated after Aug. 25, 1989.

If authorized, the proposed rule change would allow manufacturers to include asbestos in these products if they give the EPA 90 days’ notice prior to beginning the manufacturing process. The proposed use would also have to pass an agency review as to whether it would cause an unreasonable risk.

The agency banned a number of asbestos-containing products in 1989. This triggered industry litigation, however, and an appeals court vacated the rule in 1991, overturning most of the ban, with the exception of corrugated paper, rollboard, commercial paper, specialty paper and flooring felt.

The full text of the proposed rule is available at: .

Public comments can be submitted at .