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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization to Comply with Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials Chairman Albert Wynn
Manhattan Beach, CA December 17, 2007 — The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) today announced that they have received a request from the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials for the results of consumer products testing conducted by ADAO and announced at a November 28, 2007 press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The ADAO tested over 350 products including foods, drugs, toiletries, cosmetics, hardware, cleaning products and children’s toys. Over 250 individual tests have been conducted, in which asbestos fibers were found in 18 products. Five products were confirmed by three independent, government certified laboratories to contain asbestos, including CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit, DAP 33 – Window Glazing, DAP Crack Shot – Spackling Paste, Gardner Leak Stopper Roof Patch and Scotch High Performance Duct Tape. Products were purchased from major retailers including Wal-Mart; CVS; Macy’s; Toys-R-Us; and Bed, Bath, & Beyond.
Congressman Albert Wynn (D-MD), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, requested a copy of the full report in a letter dated December 4, 2007. Congressman Wynn’s letter states, “I understand that the full report entitled ‘The ADAO Product Testing Report’ contains additional information on test results of products that was not publicly released. Therefore, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials that has jurisdiction over the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), I request a copy of the full report…This will assist the Subcommittee in carrying out its legislative responsibilities with respect to a number of pending bills regulating the import, manufacture, and use of asbestos.” Wynn’s letter goes on to state, “I also understand that the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization has provided information about the asbestos content in products to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”
ADAO has not received a response from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission in reference to the Product Testing Report sent on November 28, 2007 and exposure continues, with toys continuing to be sold in various retail stores.
“It is unnecessary and unacceptable to have asbestos in children’s toys, consumer products or building materials,”stated Linda Reinstein, Co-founder and Executive Director of ADAO. “We applaud Congressman Wynn and his Subcommittee for exploring this critical topic further. Asbestos has been declared a known human carcinogen, just like arsenic, for more than 30 years. Asbestos is not like tobacco; you can not see, taste or smell the nearly invisible indestructible deadly fibers. Americans trust their government and agencies to protect our children from deadly toys.”
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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 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 Contacts:
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO):
Doug Larkin Director of Communications
Phone: (703) 250-1245
Cell: (202) 391-1546
