—Sen. Patty Murray, speaking about the need to pass the Ban Asbestos in America Act.
Sen. Murray Sees Progress for Bill Banning Asbestos
SEATTLE, WA — July 13, 2007 — Sen. Patty Murray recently held a press conference to announce progress in the fight to halt the sale, import and production of asbestos in the United States (Press Release, July 6, 2007). The legislation that Sen. Murray first introduced in March, the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007 (S. 742), will be considered or “marked up” by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee later this month, a move that reflects bipartisan support for the bill, according to Sen. Murray.
Many people still believe that asbestos has been banned in the United States, but this is not the case. We continue to import thousands of tons of asbestos. Also, asbestos is part of hundreds of products, including floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe, insulation, siding, joint compounds, roofing felts, cement, drywall, packing, gaskets and automobile and train brakes. Some of these products, such as asbestos–containing automobile brakes, are still being imported in record numbers. They also remain on the shelves of auto shops, sometimes without proper warning labels.
The Ban Asbestos in America Act is needed to prohibit the importation, manufacture, processing and distribution of products containing asbestos. It would also expand research into asbestos diseases by creating a $50 million, 10–center “Asbestos–Related Disease Research and Treatment Network” as well as a public awareness campaign to inform Americans of the dangers of asbestos.
Medical Experts Support Murray’s Asbestos Bill
Dr. Eric Vallieres of the Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle and Dr. Fred Appelbaum, head of the Clinical Research Division of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, which is also located in Seattle, were on hand at the news conference to show their strong support of S. 742. Another speaker, Judy Clauson of Aberdeen, WA, recounted how she was exposed to asbestos when washing her husband’s work clothes. Ms. Clauson was diagnosed at the age of 44 with the severe asbestos–related cancer, mesothelioma.
“Every day we waste is another day that someone else is exposed to asbestos, someone else gets a deadly diagnosis, and someone else loses a family member to a painful disease,” Sen. Murray said. “I’m committed to stopping this cycle.”
Asbestos Exposure and Your Legal Rights
With our main office located in California, the asbestos attorneys at Brayton Purcell have been extensively involved in protecting the legal rights of asbestos victims, including injured workers and their families for over 24 years. Many of our clients suffer from asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos–related diseases. We will provide a free evaluation of your potential case if you have been exposed to asbestos and think you may have developed an asbestos–related disease.
If you would like to request more information about how our asbestos attorneys can help you, you may contact us through this web site or by calling 800–361–0315. Also see the list of Brayton Purcell office locations for asbestos lawyers at our main offices in California, Utah, and Oregon.