Speakers Highlight the Human Cost of Asbestos Exposure and Inaction in Meeting with White House Officials
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) brought together a coalition of public health and safety experts to advocate for the comprehensive prohibition of asbestos in the United States today at a meeting with officials from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The advocates urged for EPA regulations to include all forms of asbestos fibers, which are currently absent from the proposed Asbestos Part 1 (Chrysotile Asbestos) Regulation, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which only addresses a single type of asbestos and six limited conditions of use.
“The EPA has the responsibility to safeguard public health from the scourge of asbestos, a notorious carcinogen that kills more than 40,000 Americans every year,” said Linda Reinstein, President & Co-Founder, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. “We have been abundantly clear: Americans can’t afford another EPA failure and years of subsequent litigation while families suffer. It’s time to ban all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite. Every asbestos type is lethal, and this deadly substance has no place in our homes, schools, or workplaces,” she continued.
This coalition represents a broad spectrum of public health, cancer prevention, and worker safety organizations, all united in the call for a total ban on asbestos to prevent further loss of life and health complications related to asbestos exposure.
Attendees included:
- Arthur L. Frank, MD, PhD
- Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH, representing the American Public Health Association
- Linda Reinstein, President & Co-Founder, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
- Greg Russell, Government Affairs Representative, International Association of Fire Fighters
- Bob Sussman, Counsel, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
- James Williams, Director of Federal Relations, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
“Fire fighters are twice as likely to suffer from mesothelioma and asbestos-linked disease than the public. This is 100% preventable by eliminating exposure to deadly asbestos fibers. It is long past time for the EPA and the Congress to proactively ban the sale and use of all asbestos fibers.” said Greg Russell, Government Affairs Representative, International Association of Fire Fighters.
The group also discussed the absence of action to protect the public from legacy asbestos and proposed transition periods for ending asbestos use.
“The final Part 1 rule must assure that asbestos importation and use are not only prohibited but eliminated as soon as possible. Lengthy phase-out schedules that result in several years of additional asbestos exposure will result in unnecessary and avoidable death and disease,” noted Bob Sussman, Counsel to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.
The ADAO stands at the forefront of this fight, committed to educating the public, advocating for protective legislation, and supporting the communities affected by asbestos-related diseases.
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About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO):
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization is the leading independent nonprofit dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and community support. Founded in 2004, ADAO has been a vocal and effective advocate for public health, tirelessly working to influence policy and raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure.