Linda Reinstein, CEO/Co-Founder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), & Dr. Richard Lemen, ADAO Science Advisory Board Co-Chair, Issue Joint Statement on Introduction of the Discussion Draft of the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010
ADAO Reaffirms Importance of Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act to Prevent Exposure to Asbestos and Protect Public Health
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest U.S. organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today released statements from key executives regarding the introduction of a discussion draft of legislation to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The draft was released by Rep. Bobby L. Rush, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, and Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. TSCA serves as the primary statute governing the safety of chemicals in commerce, which has not been updated since its enactment in 1976. ADAO is working to help ensure that effective safety measures regarding asbestos are incorporated into this critical piece of legislation.
“The reform of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) provides a unique opportunity to address asbestos. Experts suggest that because the Toxic Substances Control Act has been unable to successfully regulate and ban asbestos that it does not protect Americans. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, yet consumers and workers continue to be exposed. More than 10,000 people in the U.S. lose their lives annually due to asbestos-caused diseases. Asbestos has been found in numerous products including make-up, baby powder and children’s toys, food and beverages, in homes, schools, and in the work place. We look forward to working with Chairmen Waxman and Rush during the stakeholder process to improve the TSCA reform discussion draft to prevent asbestos exposure. As a mesothelioma widow and ADAO Co-Founder, I am fully committed to any measure that effectively protects public health.” – Linda Reinstein, ADAO President/CEO and Co-Founder
“The need for a ban on asbestos is long overdue in the United States. Today more than 50 other countries, including the European Union, have taken this step. Since WHO, IPCS, NIOSH, EPA, IARC and every other major independent scientific body in the world agree there is no safe concentration for exposure to asbestos, the only scientifically suitable method to control asbestos-related disease is to ban its use. The fact that the new TSCA proposed bill does not include such a ban misses a critical opportunity to help prevent individuals within the United States from contracting and ultimately losing their lives to asbestos-related diseases, including cancers of the lung, larynx, ovary, and mesothelioma.” – Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH, Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.) & Rear Admiral (Ret.) and ADAO Science Advisory Board Co-Chair
# # #
About Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is the largest independent organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education and legislation. ADAO’s mission includes supporting global advocacy and advancing asbestos awareness, prevention, early detection, treatment, and resources for asbestos-related disease. For more information visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Media Contact:
Doug Larkin
Director of Communications
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Phone: (202) 391-1546
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
