Posted on November 19, 2025

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2025 Reintroduced: A Renewed Push to End Asbestos Once and for All

Since 2016, Congress has introduced eight Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Acts, four in the House and four in the Senate. Most recently, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2025 was reintroduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley in the Senate, and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and Rep. Don Bacon as a bipartisan bill in the House. (S.2811 and H.R.5373) on September 16th, 2025. 

Stakeholder support has also grown immensely in recent years, as seen with the support from the Olin Corporation, one of only three remaining users of asbestos diaphragms, since 2023. In addition, we have received letters of support from numerous members of Congress and organizations.

Why ARBAN Matters More Than Ever

Coinciding with the introduction of ARBAN 2025, industry petitioners filed their reply brief seeking to vacate the EPA’s limited Part 1 Chrysotile Asbestos Rule. Even the modest protections in place could be wiped out if the industry succeeds.

ADAO and our partners continue to defend EPA’s rule against industry attacks. Still, this litigation underscores what we have said all along: legislation is the only pathway to a full, permanent asbestos ban. EPA’s rule covers only chrysotile and leaves deadly gaps, while ARBAN shuts the door on all asbestos fibers, across all uses, for good.

What is ARBAN, and What Would It Accomplish?

ARBAN is again at the forefront of bipartisan and bicameral action. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) leads the bill in the Senate, while Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Don Bacon (R-NE) co-lead in the House. Their leadership underscores the urgency of enacting a complete ban on asbestos.

If passed, ARBAN would achieve three critical objectives for public health:

  • Ban all asbestos imports and uses – covering all six recognized fibers, plus winchite and richterite.
  • Close loopholes left by EPA’s 2024 rule – ensuring protection against all types of asbestos and its potential future uses, not just limited chrysotile applications.
  • Provide long-term certainty – unlike regulatory rules subject to court challenges, ARBAN would be permanent law, immune to litigation delays or rollbacks.

Simply put, ARBAN remains the only comprehensive and durable solution to eliminate asbestos once and for all.

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 (S.2811 and H.R.5373):

Early 2025 ARBAN Supporters Include: 

  • American Public Health Association (APHA)
  • Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
  • Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
  • Collegium Ramazinni 
  • Environmental Information Association (EIA)
  • Environmental Working Group (EWG)
  • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

2025 ARBAN Sponsors and Cosponsors Include: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Don Bacon, and Sen. Jeff Merkley

EPA Part 1 Chrysotile Asbestos Finalized Rule and Part 2 for Legacy

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Acts in the U.S. Senate

Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Acts in the U.S. House of Representatives

There have been two ARBAN legislative hearings: