Since 2004, ADAO has been actively engaged in stakeholder meetings, testifying at Congressional hearings to ensure Congress passes meaningful legislation to protect the public from dangerous chemicals such as asbestos.Presently, both bills in the Senate and House would never be strong enough to ban asbestos. The time is now to be counted and stand where knowledge and action unite.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2014
ADAO President and Co-Founder Linda Reinstein Issues Statement in Opposition of the U.S. House “Chemicals in Commerce Act” Revised Discussion Draft
CICA is Fatally Flawed and Compromises Public Health
“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives held the seventh hearing to discuss the need to reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which is the nation’s law governing toxic chemical use. While ADAO is encouraged by efforts to overhaul the outdated, ineffective, and deadly TSCA, the “Chemicals in Commerce Act” (CICA) Revised Discussion Draft does not address the dangers of asbestos to public health. ADAO continues to voice grave concerns with House Energy and Commerce Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) on this fatally flawed bill.
On April 2, 2014, Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, Acting U.S. Surgeon General, issued a statement about asbestos, reconfirming that ‘scientists have long understood that asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases when the fibers are inhaled,’ yet the Bill does not adequately protect the public from this dangerous toxin.
At today’s hearing, Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) strongly warned that we should not pass a bill that gives ‘the illusion of progress.’ To date, not one public health organization has supported CICA as drafted, even with the changes discussed today.
The fact is that asbestos remains legal and lethal in the USA. Americans have lost confidence in the chemical industries’ ability to protect us from toxins. Asbestos has caused one of the largest man-made disasters in history. More than 30 Americans die each day from preventable asbestos-caused disease, yet Congress allows for imports to continue. ADAO has seen the robust chemical industry propaganda to lobby Congress and fool Americans. TSCA reform must empower and enable the EPA to ban asbestos and other known toxins. Without responsibility, accountability, and transparency, no one is safe. The only two ways to eliminate environmental and occupational asbestos-caused diseases are prevention and a cure. It is simple: TSCA reform that allows the continued use of asbestos is not strong enough to protect Americans from toxins.”
Since 2004, ADAO has been actively engaged in stakeholder meetings, testifying at Congressional hearings to ensure Congress passes meaningful legislation to protect the public from dangerous chemicals such as asbestos.
Despite its known dangers, there is still no global ban on asbestos, and it continues to claim lives. Exposure to asbestos, a human carcinogen, can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers; as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The World Health Organization estimates that 107,000 workers around the world will die every year of an asbestos-related disease, equaling 300 deaths per day.
Let Congress know that toxic reform is important to you! Sign the Environmental Working Group petition here.
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About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
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.
Media Contact:
Kim Cecchini (ADAO)
(202) 391-5205
kim@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org