Efforts Underway to Ban Asbestos in the U.S.A.
Contrary to popular belief, asbestos is still being used in products sold in the U.S.
Many Americans would be surprised to learn that, contrary to popular belief, asbestos–the toxic mineral fiber linked to the cancer mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases–is still being used in products sold in the U.S. today. Senator Patty Murray, D-WA, is trying to change that.
Recently, Senator Murray re-introduced her bill Ban Asbestos in America, which she first introduced in the 107th Congress. Senator Murray’s legislation would not only ban asbestos use in the U.S., but would also authorize studies to determine which commercial products sold in the U.S. contain asbestos; increase funding for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases; and create a national mesothelioma registry to track diagnoses of the disease nationwide.
More than 30 countries to date have banned the sale and use of asbestos products. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, it is estimated that 10,000 Americans die each year from exposure to asbestos. Workers who once worked in trades such as construction and at industrial job sites are particularly at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. A ban of asbestos would help prevent Americans from suffering further exposure to asbestos, thus reducing their risk of asbestos-related diseases in the future.
Contact your legislators and urge them to support the Ban Asbestos in America Act. You can e-mail your senators through www.senate.gov. For more information about Senator Murray’s bill, visit her website at http://murray.senate.gov/asbestos
