Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Montana’s U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced and passed a bipartisan Senate resolution to designate the first week of April as National Asbestos Awareness Week, emphasizing asbestos exposure prevention, education, and the protection of public health.
“All Americans deserve a future free of asbestos exposure—a carcinogen that has killed far too many,” dijo el senador Merkley. “This National Asbestos Awareness Week, we commit to shining a light on this ongoing crisis and ending this dangerous public health threat once and for all.”
“Far too many Montanans have suffered because of toxic exposure to asbestos, especially in the towns of Libby and Troy. National Asbestos Awareness Week is an important way to call attention to the dangers of asbestos and protect the health and safety of our communities,” dijo el Senador Daines.
Merkley ha sido un longtime advocate for banning asbestos and has championed bipartisan legislation that would keep this toxic poison away from workers and consumers. He previously presidió una audiencia on his legislation to ban the manufacturing, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos in the United States.
Merkley and Daines’ bipartisan resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
The bipartisan resolution is supported by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), American Public Health Association (APHA), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), Environmental Working Group (EWG), Environmental Information Association (EIA), ASBESTONOMY, British Occupational Hygiene Society, Center for Environmental Health, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Mesothelioma Hope, Mesothelioma UK, Occupational Knowledge International, Professional Abatement Contractors of New York, SOS Amianto, Toxic-Free Future, UK Asbestos Training Association, and Union Aid Abroad.
“Asbestos exposure is entirely preventable—and prevention saves lives,” said Linda Reinstein, President and CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). “The bipartisan leadership of Senators Jeff Merkley and Steve Daines in designating the 21st National Asbestos Awareness Week reinforces a clear, science-based truth: there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Each year, tens of thousands of Americans die from preventable asbestos-related diseases, while legacy asbestos continues to threaten families and workers across the country. This resolution strengthens our shared commitment to education, prevention, and accountability. On behalf of ADAO and the global community we serve, we thank Senators Merkley and Daines for their leadership to protect public health and advance the goal of ending asbestos-related disease in the United States.”
“There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, CEO of APHA. “Asbestos causes mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovaries. Exposure to asbestos is also strongly associated with asbestosis and pleural disease.”
“Occupational cancer continues to be the number one killer of fire fighters and the IAFF remains steadfastly committed to identifying, mitigating, and ultimately removing every known carcinogenic exposure to fire fighters form the fireground,” said IAFF’s Chief Medical Officer, Dan Whu, MD, MPH, FACPM, FAAMA, ABOIM, DNBPAS, CFO, PMD-T. “Asbestos fits squarely in this category as it is both a known human carcinogen (as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer), and unnecessary, as there are safe alternative products in the market that can replace it.”
“Cancers caused by asbestos exposure can develop years after exposure, even if you don’t recall it happening. We must ban asbestos now to protect against this invisible threat. The International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) has consistently advocated for a global ban on asbestos and the prevention of asbestos-related diseases,” said Seong-Kyu Kang, President, International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH).
“EWG commends Sen. Jeff Merkley and bipartisan Senate leaders for the unanimous passage of the 21st Asbestos Awareness Week Resolution, advancing a long-overdue effort to address the dangers of this deadly carcinogen in the United States,” said EWG President and co-founder Ken Cook. “For decades, asbestos exposure has taken a devastating toll, claiming countless lives and continuing to shatter thousands of families each year. It is past time to end this entirely preventable tragedy,” said Ken Cook, EWG President and co-founder.
“As we celebrate Global Asbestos Awareness Week – April 1- April 7, let us all remember that many homes and commercial buildings still contain asbestos. A thorough asbestos survey should ALWAYS be conducted prior to any renovation or demolition to prevent unnecessary exposure. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. Please be aware and do not disturb this cancer-causing mineral. Leave this work to properly licensed professionals,” said Brent Kynoch, EIA, Managing Director.
Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking aquí.
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