Tuesday, September 16, marked a landmark day in asbestos litigation. The U.S. House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials introduced H.R. 6903, the “Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent Mesothelioma Act of 2008” – a critical piece of legislation that once passed, will help to stop exposure to the lethal asbestos mineral. The bill, introduced by Chairman Gene Green (D-TX), will amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks posed by asbestos-containing products and help fuel public education programs.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest organization in the United States dedicated to serving as the voice of asbestos victims, applauded the U.S. House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials for this monumental decision. ADAO has worked with Congress for more than four years to advocate for the passage of such a bill and strongly encourages the House to quickly move it through to the President for his signature. The bill is also strongly supported by the Committee to Ban Asbestos in America (CBAA), recently formed by ADAO and The John McNamara Foundation, dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure and eliminating asbestos-caused diseases.

“As we remember the tragedy of 9-11, thousands still suffer from the irreversible damage caused from asbestos exposure. An asbestos ban prohibiting its importation, manufacturing, processing and distribution is absolutely necessary and long overdue,” stated Linda Reinstein, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. “Other countries look to us to set global examples of responsibility and accountability. We must ban asbestos to eradicate the deadly diseases caused from asbestos exposure that plague so many families. As the largest volunteer organization in the United States, we are enormously pleased to support H.R. 6903 banning asbestos, a known human carcinogen, to protect public health.”

For more information, click here

As a follow-up to the last post, Dr. Rebecca Cline, also of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, made a striking presentation at the recent ADAO Conference. Cline brought to light a point often left in the dark: the mental tolls of asbestos disease can be as harmful as the physical tolls.

Cline has done extensive research on the psychological impact of asbestos in the vermiculite-mining town of Libby, Montana. Cline called Libby "the worst environmental disaster in the United States." Because of the slow-moving nature of asbestos, the community has had the drawn-out responsibility of trying to make their neighbors fare well mentally and socially in the face of devastation. Cline said that in this situation, a community will either become charitable and altruistic or plagued with conflict. Libby, unfortunately, experienced the latter.

In interviewing residents, Cline found that people fell into one of three categories: those who readily believed the mine caused disease, those who eventually welcomed the idea, and those who are still in denial. She also uncovered that the residents were reluctant to talk about asbestos-disease because of economic implications; miners feared job loss and citizens feared a decrease in property value. This stigma prevented communication between residents and it created a divide between those affected by the disease and those who were not. Those not affected assumed that the disease was fake, a part acted by money-grubbing hoarders. Victims, consequently, were afraid to talk about asbestos for fear of social isolation.

The denial, division, and deception in Libby prevented citizens from obtaining the safety they deserved. It stunted progress towards asbestos regulation and weighed heavily on the minds of residents. Clearly, Cline's message rang true: the emotional effects of mesothelioma rival the physical effects.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization hosted their annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference at the end of March. The conference featured several speakers and guests who shared experiences, research, and advice pertaining to asbestos.

One of the most notable presenters was Dr. Michael Harbut of the National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers, a division of the esteemed Karmanos Cancer Institute. Harbut stressed the importance of early mesothelioma detection, emphasizing that catching the disease as soon as possible "helps people live longer and less painfully–and hopefully less tragically for the family." Harbut and a team of researchers recently discovered that certain indicative signs of mesothelioma can be detected in blood tests.

After Harbut presented, we heard from one of his success stories. Vietnam veteran Gary Stevens' treatment with Harbut enabled him to live a full life without the crippling effects of asbestos. Stevens said he vividly recalls his days on a navy ship where he would constantly see "crystal-like dust coming down from the pipes that would sparkle in the light," without realizing it was asbestos. He never even knew he was at risk for disease. Stevens visited Harbut's clinic in 1993, and spots were detected on his lungs in an x-ray. The early detection and treatment prevented dangerous fluid build-up and allowed Stevens to continue with a healthy, busy life.

On Friday, a California advocacy group for asbestos victims, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), sued CBS Corporation, a toy maker and several retailers over the sale of a toy based on a CBS series. ADAO said laboratory tests showed that the toy, a crime-scene kit based on the series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” contained asbestos in a powder used to dust for fingerprints. The manufacturer of the kits, Planet Toys Inc., removed them from the market last year because of the group’s assertions but said that multiple tests had shown no asbestos.

ADAO wants to stop sales of the kits unless they carry a hazardous material warning and to allow the return of the kits for a full refund.

To Read the Complete Story, Click Here

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s fourth annual Asbestos Awareness Day Conference was met with overwhelming response this year. Registration has long been closed because the conference filled quickly, but the group is already advertising next year’s event. This year’s conference will officially begin in Detroit tomorrow, with a small reception the tonight. The conference runs through the 30th, concluding with a memorial and remembrance brunch.

The conference’s mission statement reads, “This international conference will provide education and outreach to affected families, employers, employees and scientists throughout the world as part of the ADAO's continuing efforts to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos, ban its use and encourage research efforts to improve treatment options. Prominent physicians, scientists, safety and health directors professionals and persons interested in asbestos will present current and up-to-date information regarding the status of asbestos in the United States, Canada and worldwide.”

The conference is held in preparation for National Asbestos Awareness day: April 1. The ADAO is selling awareness wristbands to educate the public that asbestos is still not banned.

To learn more about the conference visit the ADAO website, where you can also sign a petition and learn how to contact Congress about banning asbestos.