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 Summer eNewsletter:
House Briefing, Drop the Rock, Coalition Letter, New Videos, and Remembrances |
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Half way through the year, I'm reflecting on the legislative progress made to protect public health. U.S Senator Lautenberg introduced S. 3209 and the U.S. House of Representatives is set to introduce their discussion draft, combined efforts to reform the 1970s Toxic Substances Control Act. Here in California, legislation is finally moving forward to remove the state's rock, serpentine.
We are also pleased to share Senator Durbin's video, accepting ADAO's Tribute of Hope award and speaking candidly with us about banning asbestos.
Throughout the world, our combined efforts to educate lawmakers to end mining and immediately prohibit the importation, manufacturing, processing, and commercial distribution of asbestos-containing products continue, even in the wake of Canadian efforts to revive an asbestos mine.
While successful national and international efforts renew our hope, we are saddened to remember those asbestos victims we have lost during recent months. ADAO continues to roll up our sleeves to fight for victims here and around the world and to educate our community in an effort to stem the flow of death and disease. In Unity,
Linda Reinstein, CEO and Co-Founder |
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ADAO Hosts Successful Briefing for House of Representatives Staffers
 ADAO held a briefing for more than 30 House staffers, most of whose bosses sit on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce in Washington, DC on June 15. Leading public health officials, organizations, and experts on asbestos discussed needed improvements to the 1970s Toxic Substances Control Act.
Staffers were strongly encouraged to support language that would prohibit the importation and use of asbestos in all commercially available products including children's toys. The speakers indicated the new Toxic Substances Control Act of 2010 would not only improve public health and create safer working and living environments, but would also create new jobs in fields such as labor, marketing, engineering, and at the federal level.
Speakers included: Linda Reinstein, mesothelioma widow and Co-Founder of ADAO; Paul Ziegelbaum, mesothelioma victim and business executive; Dr. Richard Lemen, Assistant Surgeon General, retired; Dr. Barry Castleman, environmental consultant; John Walke (in absentia), National Resource Defense Council; and Celeste Monforton of the American Public Health Association. Read Dr. Richard Lemen's blog. |
ADAO Testifies, California Needs to Drop the Rock
California's Official State Rock, serpentine, is the host-rock for asbestos, a deadly human carcinogen. Found in natural deposits throughout California, serpentine was originally designated as the State Rock more than forty years ago to promote the flourishing local asbestos mining industry. "With all that we know about the dangerous effects of asbestos, it is appalling that California continues to honor this rock and an industry that has caused tens of thousands of deaths in the United States," said Linda Reinstein.
In response to ADAO's last newsletter, many of you sent in letters of support for Senator Gloria Romero's SB 624 initiative to remove serpentine as the state rock. ADAO sent your letters to Chairman Wesley Chesbro, Chairman of California's Committee on Natural Resources. On June 21, Linda Reinstein testified before the committee, requesting that the state end the insult to Californians and remove serpentine as the state rock. As a result, SB 624 has passed the committee. ADAO thanks everyone who supported this initiative including Senator Gloria Romero and our partners on this legislation, John McNamara Foundation and Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute. |
Coalition Letter Requests Expedited Action on Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010
On April 15, Rep. Bobby L. Rush, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, and Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released a discussion draft of legislation to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the primary statute governing the safety of chemicals in commerce, which has not been updated since its enactment in 1976.
ADAO applauds the leadership of Chairman Waxman and Chairman Rush on this important issue and hopes that they will further strengthen this legislation. On June 10, ADAO submitted a coalition letter requesting expedited action for chemical substances with documented risks, such as asbestos, to forgo the unnecessary 12 month risk assessment.
The request, supported by 11 organizations, would allow the EPA Administrator to proceed immediately to prohibit the importation, manufacturing, processing, and commercial distribution of asbestos-containing products in the United States. We look forward to continued movement on this important legislation. |
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Many of our loved ones have passed away in the last year. ADAO remembers men and women who have lost their lives to asbestos-related diseases.
Army Archerd Dr. Ron Gersten
Bruce Arnold J. R. O'Connor
Leo Babin Merlin Olsen
Richard K. Freiwald Burrell Robbins
Yakov Gefen Bill Schutz
Next month, ADAO will update our Share Your Story webpage. You can submit your story online. |
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