Posted on June 18, 2010
On Tuesday, June 15 in Washington, DC, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) held a staff briefing for more than 30 House staffers, most of whose bosses sit on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. On April 15, 2010, 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, released a discussion draft of legislation to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the primary statute governing the safety of chemicals in commerce, which has not been updated since its enactment in 1976.
“For decades, Congress has been told that the Toxic Substances Control Act is failing its mission and is in desperate need of reform,” said Chairman Waxman. “In order to protect all Americans from toxic exposures and the adverse effects they cause, Congress must strengthen this failing law.”
Leading public health officials, organizations, and experts on the life threatening dangers of asbestos exposure discussed the needed improvements that this new legislation would make to the 1970s Toxic Substances Control Act. Staffers were strongly encouraged to support language that would prohibit the importation and use of asbestos in all commercially available products including children’s toys. The speakers indicated the Act would not only improve public health and create safer work and living environments, but would also create new jobs in a variety of fields including but not limited to labor, marketing, engineering, and at the federal level.
Speakers included Linda Reinstein, mesothelioma widow and Co-Founder of ADAO; Paul Ziegelbaum, mesothelioma victim and business executive; Dr. Richard Lemen, Assistant Surgeon General, retired; Dr. Barry Castleman, environmental consultant; John Walke (in absentia), National Resource Defense Council; and Celeste Monforton of the American Public Health Association. (See ADAO House Staffer Briefing Materials).
“It is appalling to know that 10,000 Americans a year die from an asbestos-related disease,” said Linda Reinstein. The time to prevent asbestos exposure is long overdue and the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act 2010 will finally make significant strides in the appropriate direction. This is not only important from an environmental and economic standpoint, but also protects the safety of children.”
Please join me in thanking Chairman Waxman and Chairman Rush for taking leadership on this significant legislation, as well as Representative Lois Capps, who supported ADAO’s briefing and who has been steadfast in her efforts to educate the public on the dangers of asbestos.
