U.S. Senate Declares National Asbestos Awareness Week Amid Ongoing Crisis

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News Summary

The U.S. Senate has designated April 2023 as National Asbestos Awareness Week to spotlight the public health crisis caused by asbestos exposure, with ongoing legislative efforts.

U.S. Senate Declares National Asbestos Awareness Week Amid Ongoing Crisis

In a significant development, the U.S. Senate has passed a resolution designating the first week of April 2023 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week,” highlighting the pressing need to address the ongoing public health crisis caused by asbestos exposure. This unanimous resolution, introduced by Senators from Montana, Jon Tester and Steve Daines, marks the 18th consecutive year of efforts aiming to raise awareness about the devastating effects of asbestos exposure.

Staggering Statistics Paint a Grim Picture

Each year, nearly 40,000 Americans lose their lives due to diseases related to asbestos, often resulting in painful deaths from cancer and suffocation. The infamous town of Libby, Montana, has become a tragic symbol of this crisis, reporting hundreds of asbestos-related deaths connected to a contaminated vermiculite mine once operated by W.R. Grace & Co. Despite extensive clean-up efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people are still being diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions, reflecting the long latency period of these diseases, which can often exceed 40 years.

Legislative Avenues and the Quest for a Ban

While this resolution marks progress in awareness, it has not resulted in a nationwide ban on asbestos, a critical step many advocates are calling for. Recently, Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced a bill aiming to ban asbestos entirely. However, given past Congressional actions, the chances of passage appear slim.

In an intriguing twist, concerns have emerged regarding the EPA’s administrative rule-making efforts to ban one type of asbestos, chrysotile, while other forms like tremolite remain unregulated. Senator Daines has cited fear from the chlor-alkali industry—an industry that utilizes asbestos in some of its older factories—as a reason for hesitating on full legislative action against asbestos.

The Fallout from Past Oversights

Despite a public declaration of a health emergency in Libby by the EPA back in 2009 and a staggering $600 million spent on clean-up, the health impacts from the now-infamous vermiculite mine linger. Many residents, including children, have been exposed to asbestos-tainted vermiculite during recreational activities, with new cases of asbestos-related diseases expected for years to come, given the significant latency period associated with these diseases.

BNSF Railway Faces Legal Consequences

BNSF Railway is currently facing numerous legal challenges as it contends with accusations of negligence and wrongful death related to asbestos contamination in Libby. Recent litigation highlights that contamination stemming from BNSF operations was a substantial contributing factor to illness and fatalities linked to asbestos. Hundreds of lawsuits await resolution as claimants argue that BNSF failed to control contaminated dust, leading to widespread exposure.

Controversies Surrounding Medical Institutions

In a shocking twist, lawsuits have also sprung up against the Center for Asbestos Related Disease, accusing the organization of malpractice and wrongful death concerning opioid prescriptions for misdiagnosed patients. Claims suggest that the clinic submitted numerous false Medicare claims for patients improperly diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, stirring public outrage and raising questions about accountability in the healthcare system.

A Call to Action

The continuing asbestos crisis represents a complex interplay between public health, industry interests, and legislative action. While the recent National Asbestos Awareness Week aims to shine a spotlight on this ongoing tragedy, many advocates remain skeptical about the government’s sincerity in addressing the dangers of asbestos exposure. With nearly 70 countries having implemented a ban on asbestos, the urgency grows for the U.S. to take similar measures to protect its citizens from the irreversible harm caused by this deadly material.