Joint Press Release: Merkley, Bonamici, Bacon Partner on Bipartisan Legislation to Ban Toxic Asbestos, Save Lives
‘‘Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025’’ text
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2025
THE ASBESTOS DISEASE AWARENESS ORGANIZATION APPLAUDS BICAMERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE ALAN REINSTEIN BAN ASBESTOS NOW ACT OF 2025
ARBAN Would Close Loopholes, Protect Communities, and Provide Permanent Public Health Safeguards from Deadly Asbestos
“We have known for decades that asbestos causes suffering, disease, and death. It is long past time to end the importation and use of all asbestos in the United States and put a stop to the preventable tragedies that have claimed far too many American lives. My family and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization are grateful to Senator Merkley and Representatives Bonamici and Bacon for their continued dedication to protecting public health from asbestos and its many harms,” said Linda Reinstein, ADAO President and widow of the bill’s namesake.
“This long-overdue legislation will protect all Americans, especially workers, disadvantaged communities, first responders, consumers, and children who remain most at risk of exposure to this deadly carcinogen,” she said.
The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 will:
- Ban all asbestos — covering all six fibers, plus winchite and richterite
- Close dangerous loopholes left by EPA’s 2024 rule by prohibiting all uses, not just limited chrysotile applications
- Deliver durable protections through legislation that cannot be overturned in court
“ADAO is profoundly grateful to Senator Merkley and Representatives Bonamici and Bacon for their unwavering leadership and perseverance in protecting Americans from asbestos,” Reinstein added. “With the passage of ARBAN, the United States will finally join nearly 70 nations that have already prioritized public health over corporate profit by banning asbestos. The facts are irrefutable: there is no safe level of exposure. More than 40,000 Americans die every year from asbestos-related illnesses. Congress must act now to end these preventable deaths with comprehensive legislation that provides lasting protections.”
The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
Early ARBAN Endorsees Include:
- American Public Health Association (APHA_
- Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
- Center for Environmental Health (CEH)
- Collegium Ramazinni
- Environmental Information Association (EIA)
- Environmental Working Group (EWG)
- International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Full text of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 can be found by clicking here.
“Congress can do more with a pen, than I can with a scalpel.” Raja M. Flores, MD, is the System Chair of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System.
“While we are pleased that the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos bill is once again being introduced for consideration it reflects poorly on our country that while scores of others have already banned asbestos ours is a nation that still allows exposure to this deadly material and such a ban is way past due. ” Arthur L. Frank MD, PhD
“Asbestos has caused devastating suffering, disease, and death for decades—claiming more than 40,000 American lives every year. Since the EPA’s 1989 asbestos ban was overturned, more than one million Americans have died from entirely preventable asbestos-caused diseases. It is long past time to end asbestos use in the United States and stop the tragedies that continue to devastate families like mine,” said Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. “For the first time, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act is bipartisan and being co-led in the House by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Don Bacon, with Senator Jeff Merkley championing the bill in the Senate. This bicameral leadership represents the only comprehensive and durable solution to finally eliminate asbestos from commerce and protect all Americans—especially workers, first responders, consumers, children, and disadvantaged communities most at risk of exposure.”
“The Collegium Ramazzini, an international scientific society, supports the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 which calls for an immediate ban on all mining and the use of asbestos in all its forms in order to eliminate the continuing burden of disease and death. We urge the immediate passage of this legislation which will save countless lives in our country and globally,” said Dr. Melissa McDairmid, on behalf of the Fellows of the Collegium Ramazzini.
“On behalf of the Environmental Information Association (EIA), a non-profit membership organization of persons involved in the asbestos abatement industry, I write to express EIA’s strong support for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2025. We greatly appreciate your continuing commitment to ban commercial asbestos that has continued for many years. With the passage of ARBAN, the United States will finally join nearly 70 countries that have banned asbestos,” said J. Brent Kynoch, Managing Director of the Environmental Information Association.
“There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. APHA continues to support legislation like the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act to protect the public’s health by eliminating all asbestos imports and use,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association.
“EWG commends Sen. Merkley, Rep. Bonamici and Rep. Bacon for their unwavering commitment to finally banning this deadly carcinogen,” said Environmental Working Group (EWG) President Ken Cook. “Asbestos-related diseases have claimed countless lives and continue to leave families grieving across the nation. By passing the bipartisan ARBAN Act, Congress can make it unmistakably clear that public health must come before industry profits.”