Asbestos Organization Unhappy with Changes to Chemical Safety Bill

In a press release published earlier this week, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) pronounced that it could not support the new “Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013” until significant changes are made to protect the public from dangerous materials such as asbestos.

The ADAO noted in the press release that the chemical industry was quite pleased with the bill, but stressed that they are disappointed in a number of specifics, including the fact that the organization’s suggested amendments in regards to asbestos exposure and use were stripped from the bill, known as S. 1009.

“We are encouraged by bipartisan efforts to overhaul the outdated and ineffective Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) from 1976, but we cannot support it unless critical clarifications and changes are adopted,” said Linda Reinstein, ADAO Co-Founder and mesothelioma widow. “The facts are irrefutable – asbestos is a known carcinogen. Congress has known for more than 100 years that asbestos exposure causes diseases, yet exposure continues. ADAO urges Congress immediately amend S. 1009. One life lost from an asbestos-caused disease is tragic; hundreds of thousands of lives lost is unconscionable.”

As a result of their disappointment, the ADAO is launching a “six-word quote campaign” encouraging asbestos victims and their families to write brief messages to Congress about how asbestos has affected their lives. Reinstein notes that pass messages have included, “Asbestos has stolen my Dad’s life” and “Asbestos is a creeping thief…stealing families.”

“If the legislation as currently written becomes law, future generations of Americans will fall victim to mesothelioma and other life-changing afflictions from exposure to dangerous chemicals,” adds 37-year-old asbestos victim Janelle Bedel. “Americans need to know asbestos is deadly and has not been banned in the U.S.”