Linda Reinstein Statement for Senators Boxer and Markey’s Press Conference to Call for a Toxic Chemicals Reform Bill that Protects Children and Families from Dangerous Toxins

March 17, 2015 — Washington, DC

Senator Boxer called on ADAO to come to Washington, DC twice for a press conference, staff briefing, hearing, and meetings.  Below is my 60 second statement for Senators Boxer and Markey’s Press Conference.

Boxer Markey Press Conference

Senators Boxer and Markey’s Press Conference on March 17, 2015

“I’m Linda Reinstein, I am not an attorney or a lobbyist, but rather a mesothelioma widow and co-founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 has failed Americans and is dangerously out of date.

The Boxer-Markey “The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act.” (S. 725), is a bill that represents true TSCA reform. Named after my late husband, Alan and Trevor, the Boxer – Markey bill represents hundreds of thousands of American’s who have been sickened or killed by toxic chemicals.

ADAO joins more than 450 other health, safety, and environmental organizations in opposition of Senators Vitter – Udall – Inhofe Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act,” There are more than 80,000 unregulated chemicals in homes, schools, workplaces, and commence today. We need legislation that will reform TSCA, not only for today – but our future. Legislation that will once and for all empower and ensure the EPA to expeditiously ban asbestos and manage the risk of most hazardous 1,000 dangerous chemicals. In fact, the Vitter – Udall – Inhofe bill doesn’t even mention “asbestos” and would take more than a century to analyze dangerous chemicals. Clearly, the Vitter – Udall – Inhofe was not written to protect public health.

The American Chemistry Council has their fingerprints all over the Vitter – Udall – Inhofe bill, and I believe the Environmental Defense Fund is the only organization supporting this bill.

On behalf of those silenced by asbestos and other toxins – the time is now to pass a bill that expeditiously bans asbestos and the other deadly chemicals. One life lost from an asbestos-caused disease is tragic, hundreds of thousands of live lost is unconscionable.” Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

Senators Boxer and Markey’s Press Conference Speakers on March 17th included:

  • Erin Brockovich, Consumer Advocate
  • Linda Reinstein, President & CEO, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
  • Trevor Schaefer, Co-Founder & President, Trevor’s Trek Foundation
  • Matthew Rodriquez, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency
  • Lemuel Srolovic, Chief, Environmental Protection Bureau, Office of New York State
  • Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman
  • Andrew Goldberg, Assistant Attorney General, Environmental Protection Division, Office of Massachusetts
  • Attorney General Maura Healey
  • Nancy Buermeyer, Breast Cancer Fund
  • Ashley Orgain, Seventh Generation
  • Jessica Arons, President & CEO, Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP)

On March 18th, the United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee  held a legislative hearing to discuss the  “Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.”  Chairman Inhofe would not allow for the Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act to be discussed.  View the full hearing online

Screenshot 2015-03-21 07.34.59March 18, 2015: Boxer Statement on Legislative Hearing: “Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act”

March 17, 2015: Senator Boxer’s Statement for Press Conference on Udall-Vitter TSCA Bill

March 15, 2015:  The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act Summary.

March 15, 2015: NEW ADAO SPECIAL EDITION eNewsletter: NEW Legislation – Your Support is Crucial! 

March 16, 2015:  GOP Pushing Hard!  EPW Legislative Hearing: Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act 

March 15, 2015: CALL TO ACTION: Say NO to Toxic Chemicals, Say YES to the Boxer Markey TSCA Reform S.725 

March 15, 2015 Senator Boxer and Markey’s New “Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act” Paves the Way for Harmful Chemical Regulation & U.S. Asbestos Ban

March 13, 2015: ADAO Supports the Introduction of the Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act

March 12, 2015 Press Release: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Applauds Sens. Boxer and Markey for Introducing The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act

March 10, 2015 Press Release: Statement from Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) Opposing Senate “Chemical Safety” Bill which Lets Asbestos off the Hook

March 12, 2014: Enough is Enough. ADAO Calls on Congress to Draft and Pass True TSCA Reform Legislation

 

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.