FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 18, 2013
House Subcommittee Hearing Examines Need for TSCA Reform
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Calls for an Immediate Ban of Asbestos to Protect Public Health
Washington, DC— Michael Bradley should be a healthy 29-year-old, but instead wears a colostomy bag, and has undergone two surgeries and chemotherapy. Michael has been battling mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, for two years. Janelle Bedel, a 37-year-old mother, wife and warrior, passed away from asbestos exposure in June after battling mesothelioma for six years.
ADAO President Linda Reinstein honored Michael and Janelle today by dedicating her testimony to them at the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy hearing: “Regulation of Existing Chemicals and the Role of Pre-Emption under Sections 6 and 18 of the Toxic Substances Control Act.”
“Asbestos, a known human carcinogen, is still legal and lethal in the United States. Americans have lost confidence in the chemical industries’ ability to protect us from toxins,” said Reinstein. “Congress should draft and pass meaningful TSCA reform legislation that truly strengthens protections for our families and environment by preventing the further use of asbestos.”
“The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has failed to protect public health and our environment. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that from 1900 to 2012, the U.S. used more than 31 million tons of asbestos,” said Reinstein.
Since 1965, nearly 1.4 million tons of asbestos was used just in friction products, such as vehicle brakes and clutches. In 2012, we used 1,060 tons of asbestos. “Asbestos is responsible for the largest man-made disaster. Without regulations, Americans cannot manage the risk of asbestos or other toxins,” Reinstein asserted in her testimony.
“Alan, Janelle, Michael and hundreds of thousands of asbestos cancer warriors deserve responsibility, accountability and transparency. If no one is accountable, no one is safe. Meaningful TSCA reform addressing these three issues will save lives,” stated Reinstein.
Reinstein also presented the Subcommittee with a petition signed by 2,700 Americans who support a ban of asbestos in the U.S.
“One life lost to a preventable asbestos-caused disease is tragic; hundreds of thousands of lives lost is unconscionable. Congress must protect public health and pass meaningful TSCA reform legislation which empowers the EPA to finally ban asbestos,” Reinstein closed.
You can view the video here.
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About ADAO
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims a united voice to help ensure that their rights are fairly represented and protected, and raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the often deadly asbestos-related diseases. ADAO is funded through voluntary contributions and staffed by volunteers. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
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