Advocates collaborate to promote asbestos ban

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization and other public health advocates have this week announced the formation of the Committee to Ban Asbestos in America. The Committee is calling upon the United States Congress and the President to ban asbestos in American as soon as possible. Formed from a collaboration between the John McNamara Foundation, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, and other advocates of public health, the Committee to Ban Asbestos in America has declared its dedication to seeing all uses of asbestos banned in America, and to eliminating asbestos-related diseases. In its first press release, the Committee to Ban Asbestos in America points out that asbestos-related diseases kill 10,000 people every year, and that according to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence rate of mesothelioma deaths has increased every year since 1980. TC McNamara, Founder of The John McNamara Foundation, said, “Asbestos and the manufacturers of asbestos are responsible for creating the largest man made health crisis in this country. Asbestos went from being a miracle product to a serial killer which makes this legislation long overdue, but now is the time to ban asbestos in America.” The John McNamara foundation was founded by the McNamara family, who formed the foundation after losing a family member to asbestos-related disease. The organization works to provide assistance and support to mesothelioma patients and family members, and to act as advocates for the banning of asbestos. Linda Reinstein, Chairperson of the Committee to Ban Asbestos in America and director of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization said, “As recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in 1976 the only way to prevent asbestos-related diseases is to ban its use, the CBAA supports language in a Committee Print before the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment & Hazardous Materials.” “We are calling on the U.S. Congress and the President to do the right thing and ban asbestos in America and fund critical medical programs. Doctors and scientists agree: asbestos is a carcinogen and that there is no safe level of exposure. Preventing asbestos exposure is the only way to eliminate asbestos caused diseases. Recent ADAO product testing confirmed asbestos is still found in consumer products including toys.” The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization was founded in 2004 by asbestos disease suffers and their family members and advocates. The organization provides support and advocacy for people affected by asbestos-related diseases, to give people a united voice and ensure their rights are protected and represented. In addition, the organization helps raise public awareness of asbestos issues. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)