The updated Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act will save lives by banning asbestos use and importation, without exceptions or exemptions.
The four major differences from last year are:
- Ban the importation, manufacture, processing, and distribution of all forms of asbestos and asbestos-containing mixtures and articles within 12 months, including products in which asbestos is present as an impurity;
- Establish a new Right-to-Know program to require current importers, processors and distributors to report and disclose to the public how much asbestos is in U.S. commerce, where and how it is used, and who is exposed;
- Require EPA and the Departments of Labor and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study of risks presented by the presence of asbestos in the millions of residences, businesses, factories, public buildings and schools, where it was used in building construction decades ago; and
- Impose these requirements on the extremely hazardous Libby Amphibole, richterite, winchite, as well as the other six asbestos fibers: chrysotile, actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, crocidolite, and tremolite.
“It’s outrageous that in the year 2019, asbestos is still allowed in the United States,” said
Senator Jeff Merkley.
“While the EPA fiddles, Americans are dying. It’s time for us to catch up to the rest of the developed world, and ban this dangerous public health threat once and for all.”
This bill comes at a critical time as current research estimates that nearly
40,000 Americans
die annually as a result of asbestos-caused diseases. Scientists agree that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.
We urge you to use this
website
and call your U.S. Senators and Congresspeople to tell them you support ARBAN and urge them to support the bill, too.
