Back in 1965, when asbestos was a profitable industry in California, serpentine, since it was the host rock for asbestos, was designated as the state rock. This was in response to pressure from the asbestos lobby. The designation was intended to call attention to the lucrative asbestos industry. Today, there is no asbestos industry. Asbestos has been a known human carcinogen at least as early as 1977. The reason for designating serpentine as the state rock in the first place no longer exists.
This is why three organizations came together to propose that serpentine be removed from its pedestal as California’s state rock. The California State Assembly Natural Resource Committee analysis states SB 624 has no fiscal impact on California. Further, it does not prevent people from buying serpentine or products made from serpentine.
Removing Serpentine as a state rock is a symbolic public health initiative, that when passed, will increase awareness to prevent asbestos exposure to eliminate diseases and remove a toxic symbol that represents extreme suffering, death and disease to thousands of people.
Marilyn