The U.S. Senate was lauded a month ago for its passage of the Ban Asbestos In America Act of 2007. The bill, which received widespread support and unanimous senate approval, will impose a total ban on the importation, manufacture, processing and distribution of asbestos-containing products in the U.S. (See Bill to Ban Asbestos Passes Senate, posted 10/5/07). Or so we thought.

An article in today's Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that more and more original supporters of the bill, including public health officials, asbestos victim advocates, and the EPA are now speaking out in opposition to the highly touted bill. Apparently, they are alleging that the bill which ultimately passed the Senate vote was not the same bill they had testified in support of--that it had been watered down to appease the asbestos industry and its powerful lobby. Calling it a "limited asbestos ban act", they claim that the bill as passed, does not cover many asbestos-containing products that it was originally intended to cover.

The House Committe on Energy and Commerce is set to hold hearings on the recently-passed bill next month. In comments prepared for those upcoming hearings, the EPA reiterated an earlier statement in which it asserted that the ban should apply to "any product to which asbestos is deliberately added or used, or in which asbestos is otherwise present in any concentration." This definition of what products are to be covered by the ban was apparently deleted from the original bill at the urging of the asbestos industry. Instead the bill calls for a study to determine the cancer-causing hazard of those products not currently covered by the ban.

According to Dr. Aubrey Miller, a senior medical officer and toxicologist for the EPA, "the government knows that asbestos products not covered by the legislation can cause harm and would allow, and probably encourage, companies to continue selling contaminated products because they are exempt from the ban." For example, due to last-minute changes in the Senate bill, there is nothing in the law that would prevent the Libby, MT vermiculite mine from being reopened and the tainted vermiculite ore sold for use in household and construction products. (See EPA Failed to Warn Homeowners of the Dangers of Vermiculite Insulation, posted 10/5/07). Nor will the current legislation prevent Iron Range taconite mine owners from selling its waste product for use in public roads and bridges. (See University of Minn. to Study Link Between Taconite Mining and Mesothelioma, posted 8/10/07).

Despite the recent opposition, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and her staff, who worked tirelessly for the past six years to get this bill passed, are said to be fully in support of the bill as passed, including what they see as compromises that had to be made to get the bill this far. Moreover, staffers of both Murray and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) are none too happy about what they see as a "disinformation campaign" being mounted by these early supporters who are now raising opposition to the bill as passed. In fact, according to the Post-Intelligencer, nearly all of the witnesses and early supporters of the bill, including Dr. Miller and others who testified on behalf of its passage, were contacted by Murray and Boxer staffers repeatedly and told to cease discussing their views about the bill, insisting that the bill was not flawed. It remains to be seen how this will all play out at the House committee hearings on the bill next month.

Click here to read the full article.

Eating well becomes more important for people diagnosed with Mesothelioma and other cancers. Getting the proper nutrition is difficult enough for the average person, and it becomes even more challenging when faced with the loss of appetite and nausea that many Mesothelioma patients experience. The disease itself or side effects from treatment can make it hard to maintain nutritional health. The goal is to eat a healthy, balanced diet in order to feel better and remain stronger. A Mesothelioma diet differs from a suggested diet for a non-Meso patient, which can be confusing. Rather than focusing on large portions of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with moderate amounts of meats and dairy products and limited fats, sugar, and salt; the Meso diet recommends a higher calorie and protein intake. Below I’ve listed some of the main reasons for good nutrition and some tips for eating when diagnosed with Mesothelioma or another cancer.

Eating a Healthy Diet will:

• Help patient to maintain weight, keep strength and energy

• Increase protein level needed to help build and repair body tissues

• Allow patient to tolerate treatment better

• Strengthen your immune system, allowing the body to fight infection more easily

• Raise patient’s outlook and quality of life

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Diet:

• Drink plenty of fluids – try drinking between meals rather than with meals, to avoid feeling full

• Focus on eating high calorie and high protein foods (nuts, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, milkshakes, etc.) – use butter, margarine, creams, and gravies to boost calories

• Try adding protein powders to drinks

• Liquids and soft foods may be better tolerated than solids, especially if you are nauseous

• Snack frequently throughout the day or whenever you feel you can

• Vary your mealtime routine

• Try new foods and/or recipes (your tastes may change)

• Use plastic utensils if food tastes metallic

• Eat with friends and family, with the television or the radio on, which can stimulate your appetite

• Let others prepare your food to save energy and avoid cooking odors

• If possible, engage in light exercise one hour prior to meals to stimulate appetite

• Use food supplements, such as liquid drinks and powder

• Ask your doctor if you need a nutritional supplement, such as a multivitamin or another supplement

• Plan ahead: stock pantry and freezer, keep foods that need little or no preparation handy, cook in advance and freeze meals, and/or ask for help with shopping/cooking

If you have nutritional questions or need assistance planning your diet, talk to a dietitian. They can work with your specific symptoms and needs to individualize a plan.

The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) of Santa Barbara, CA, issued a press release today to announce an upcoming tribute to singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, to be held at the world-famous Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez, CA on December 8, 2007 from 4-7 p.m. The event will raise research money and awareness for mesothelioma. Zevon died of mesothelioma in September 2003. The event will feature performances by several well-known artists who played with Zevon. They will be joining Jordan Zevon, Warren's son and Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) National Spokesperson, to perform some of Warren's songs. Opening for them will be several up and coming young artists from the central coast who will also perform their renditions of Zevon songs. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased starting November 5, 2007 at The Maverick Saloon or by going to www.syvjoneshouse.com. Proceeds from the event will go to MARF and the ADAO.

For ticket information or to learn more about the event, click here.