ADAO Recognizes the U.S. Senate for Significant Improvements towards Achieving TSCA Reform to Protect Citizens from Dangerous Toxins Including Asbestos

WASHINGTON

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), which serves as a global leader in ending asbestos exposure through education, advocacy, and community, recognizes the U.S. Senate for making significant improvements towards achieving reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 with the passage of The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697).

As passed by a unanimous voice vote last night, the amended bill recognizes asbestos as a carcinogen by its attributes, and ensures it will receive the highest priority for review and regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Decisions about chemical safety will be made solely on the basis of its impact on health and the environment, not compliance costs.

Linda Reinstein, President/CEO of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization issued the following statement.

“Asbestos has been the poster child illustrating TSCA’s failures by its inability to ban asbestos. Although amendments in S. 697 help make improvements to the EPA’s regulatory powers to study and regulate harmful chemicals, we must see further improvements to ensure the EPA can fully protect the public from toxic chemicals like asbestos.

“The time is now to end the asbestos man-made disaster. Each year, up to 15,000 Americans die from preventable asbestos-caused diseases; meanwhile tons of asbestos is imported to meet so-called ‘manufacturing needs’.

“Americans have lost faith in the chemical industry’s ability to manage toxins. We urge the Senate and the House conference committee to reconcile H.R. 2576 and S. 697 to truly reform TSCA by ensuring the EPA has the regulatory powers to expeditiously ban asbestos and other known toxic chemicals.

“Asbestos victims around the world thank Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for her unyielding leadership and determination to protect public health and our environment from deadly chemicals.”

About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is a global leader in combining education, advocacy, and community initiatives to prevent and end asbestos exposure. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims’ civil rights. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org. ADAO, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals.

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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
Kim Cecchini
Media Relations
202-391-5205
Kim@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org