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An asbestos bill called the “Ban Asbestos in America Act” was passed by the U.S. Senate in late 2007. After this asbestos bill was written, its draft text was changed from mandating a ban of all products containing asbestos to a ban of only “asbestos-containing materials,” which would allow asbestos content up to one percent (by weight). The revised wording also removes the text that would mandate government testing of products for their asbestos content.
Complete Ban vs. One Percent Allowed
An effort to reinstate the original wording and intent of the Ban Asbestos bill was begun in the U.S. House of Representatives. In May 2008, there was hearing in the House with testimony from several asbestos experts regarding the 1% issue. One of the advocates of a complete asbestos ban reiterated a statement from the World Health Organization: “The most efficient way to eliminate asbestos-related diseases is to stop using all types of asbestos.”
Indeed, the entire European Union (EU) outlawed all types of asbestos in 1999, and more than 40 countries (including Japan and Australia) have banned all uses of asbestos. In the U.S., the industries that have an interest in keeping asbestos use a possibility have fought legislation designed to limit asbestos use here.
A Compromise Asbestos Bill Is Expected
The House may pass a more stringent asbestos bill than the latest version of the Senate’s Ban Asbestos Act. If so, a legislative committee would then be tasked with producing a compromise asbestos bill to be submitted to President Bush. The Bush administration has been more aligned with industry than with environmental or worker-safety advocates, but it is not yet known how the latest asbestos bill will fare.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 90,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases. What was once thought of as a “safe” level of asbestos in products and buildings has been confirmed to be carcinogenic, and the latest one-percent allowance language in the “Ban Asbestos” bill is arguably just another appeasement of corporate interests.
If an asbestos-caused disease has impacted you or your family, your call to your Senator or Representative could mean a lot in the fight against further damage due to this toxic mineral.