Tell Congress: Totally Ban Asbestos in Industrial Materials, Consumer Products and Toys

Tell Congress: Totally Ban Asbestos in Industrial Materials, Consumer Products and Toys

Americans have zero tolerance for asbestos!

Scientists agree: Asbestos causes cancer and other deadly diseases, thousands of Americans die each year from asbestos-related diseases, and there’s no known safe level of exposure to any form of asbestos. Yet even with millions of dollars spent in asbestos litigation and medical expenses, asbestos is still legal in the US and still found in many common consumer products – even children’s toys.

The US EPA attempted to ban asbestos-containing products in 1989, but that ban was overturned on legal technicalities in court two years later.

In 2007, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization commissioned independent, certified laboratory testing that found asbestos in common household products, such as spackle, window glazing, and duct tape, and even in best-selling children’s toys, such as the popular "CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit." Research by others had already found asbestos in some children's play clays.

Congress is expected to hold hearings soon on whether to implement a total ban on asbestos-containing products. Right now, industry lobbyists are pressuring Congress to institutionalize the allowance of up to 1 percent of asbestos in our industrial materials, consumer products, toys, and other products on American store shelves. We say, "No!" It’s time for a total ban on asbestos in American products.

As organizations and individuals representing and advocating for those most impacted by the toxic effects of asbestos, we urge Congress to institute an effective and verifiable ban on asbestos.

We, the undersign, join Paul Brodeur, Bill Ravanesi, Linda Reinstein, Doug Larkin, Jordan Zevon, Jill Vaughan, Dr. Richard A. Lemen, Dr. Arthur L. Frank, Dr. Michael R. Harbut, Barry Castleman, Michael Horwin, Paul and Michelle Zygielbaum, John Thayer, TC McNamara and Laurie Kazan – Allen as cosignatories urging Congress to totally ban asbestos.

Paul Brodeur, Retired Staff Writer for The New Yorker and Author of Four Books on the Asbestos Health Hazard

Bill Ravanesi, "Breath Taken" Photojournalist and Author

Linda Reinstein, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Executive Director, Cofounder and Mesothelioma Widow

Doug Larkin, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
Communications Director and Cofounder

Jordan Zevon, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
National Spokesperson

Jill Vaughan, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
ACOR Liaison

Arthur L. Frank, MD, PhD Chair, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Science Advisory Board Co-Chair

Richard Lemen, PhD, MSPH Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.), Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Science Advisory Board Co-Chair

Michael R. Harbut, MD, MPH, FCCP

Barry Castleman, Environmental Consultant

Michael Horwin, Cancer Monthly

Paul and Michelle Zygielbaum

John Thayer, Former U.S. Capital Tunnel Worker Supervisor

TC McNamara, The John McNamara Foundation

Laurie Kazan - Allen, International Ban Asbestos Secretariat