States sue EPA over tighter rules for asbestos 

Ten states and Washington, D.C., are suing the EPA over stricter asbestos regulations. The chemical has been linked to mesothelioma and other cancers, but some products, including construction materials, can still contain up to 1% of asbestos. In January, the states in the lawsuit petitioned to have the EPA require more data on how asbestos affects human health, but the agency rejected the petition in late April. California and Massachusetts are two of the states leading the coalition, which is urging the EPA to enforce tighter rules over asbestos, especially since symptoms from exposure can take years to show up. “While it’s troubling that we must once again take the EPA to court to force the agency to do its job, we won’t pull any punches,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement.