Resolution Passed Declaring First Week of April Asbestos Awareness Week
Press Release
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today applauded passage of a bipartisan resolution to designate the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".
The resolution is co-sponsored by Feinstein as well as, Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Kristen Gilibrand (D-N.Y.).
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and exposure can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, laryngeal and ovarian cancers, as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. Thousands of people in the United States die from asbestos-related diseases every year. U.S. workers continue to face significant asbestos exposure, which has been a cause of occupational cancer. Hundreds of 9/11 first responders were exposed to toxic fumes after the collapse of the Word Trade Center, which was constructed with hundreds of tons of asbestos.
"On behalf of ADAO, I would like to thank Senator Markey and Co-Sponsors for their support of Resolution 125, and the full Senate for its passage," said Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "We are extremely pleased to have such strong bipartisan backing of this critical resolution once again so that we can continue our concerted efforts to educate the public on the dangers of asbestos and build a legacy of hope for victims of asbestos each year. Most Americans can't identify asbestos or manage the risk during associated during repairs, renovation, construction, or disasters. Since 1900, the USA has consumed 31 million metric tons of asbestos, which has caused one of the largest man-made disasters. Each year, 10,000 Americans die from preventable asbestos-caused diseases."
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