Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Montana’s U.S. Senator Steve Daines teamed up for a bipartisan effort to designate April 1-7 as National Asbestos Awareness Week and urge the U.S. Surgeon General to teach Americans about the dangers of asbestos exposure.
“All Americans deserve a future free of exposure to asbestos—a carcinogen that has killed far too many,” said Senator Merkley. “National Asbestos Awareness Week brings attention to this ongoing crisis and the need to end this dangerous public health threat once and for all.”
“Far too many Montanans have suffered because of toxic exposure to asbestos, especially in the towns of Libby and Troy. National Asbestos Awareness Week is an important way to call attention to the dangers of asbestos and protect the health and safety of our communities,” said Senator Daines.
Merkley has been a longtime advocate for banning asbestos and has tirelessly fought to advance legislation that would keep this toxic poison away from workers and consumers. He previously chaired a hearing on his legislation to ban the manufacturing, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos in the United States.
Merkley and Daines’ bipartisan resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
The bipartisan resolution is supported by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Public Health Organization (APHA), Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), Environmental Working Group (EWG), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
“During Asbestos Awareness Week, from April 1 to 7, we reaffirm our commitment to raising awareness and ensuring the health and well-being of future generations. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) extends heartfelt gratitude to Senators Merkley and Daines for their continued leadership and dedication to raising asbestos awareness and advancing prevention by designating a week of asbestos prevention education,” said Linda Reinstein, co-founder and President of the ADAO. “The stark reality is that 40,000 Americans lose their lives annually to asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure remains a critical, ongoing challenge—it poses a hidden threat in our homes, schools, and workplaces. We must continue to stay vigilant and protect our communities against this lethal hazard.”
“Occupational cancer is the number one killer of fire fighters, and the IAFF is steadfastly committed to removing every known human carcinogen from the fireground,” said Danny Whu, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, IAFF. “The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies asbestos as a Group 1, Known Human Carcinogen. As such, the commercialization of asbestos must be discontinued immediately. Not only is this product contributing to an unnecessarily high mortality in fire fighters, but in all exposed Americans alike – from the very young to the very old. The IAFF applauds and supports Senator Merkley, Senator Daines, and all organizations working to eliminating this killer from continuing to be imported, sold, and used in commerce.”
Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.
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