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August 04, 2013
Washington, D.C. - Linda Reinstein, president of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), will testify in Washington, D.C. this week, hoping to help convince members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works that the proposed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is flawed.
According to a press release from ADAO, Reinstein will join a panel of other toxic substance experts at a full committee hearing entitled “Strengthening Public Health Protections by Addressing Toxic Chemical Threats.” She plans to discuss how the proposed reform that’s currently under consideration for the TSCA is flawed and how it puts both public health and the environment at risk.
“Her testimony will examine the need to expedite action to prohibit imports, and ban the manufacture, sale and export of asbestos-containing products, while protecting each state’s ability to maintain or pass stronger laws to regulate chemicals,” notes the press release, stressing that Reinstein will discuss specific facts about the continued use of asbestos in the U.S., one of the few world powers where the toxic mineral is not banned.
Reinstein says she’ll also point out the fact that ports in Louisiana, Texas, California and New Jersey are still actively receiving and unloading asbestos shipments on a regular basis and that asbestos consumption has actually increased in the U.S. even though safer and affordable substitutes exist.
“Most Americans trust that their air, soil and water are safe from toxic contaminants; however, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has failed to protect public health and our environment,” Reinstein will tell the Senate committee. “Asbestos fibers are odorless, tasteless, indestructible, and can be nearly 700 times smaller than a human hair. All forms of asbestos can cause cancer and respiratory diseases. Americans have lost confidence in the chemical industries’ ability to protect us from toxins. Congress should draft and pass meaningful TSCA reform legislation that truly strengthens protections for our families and environment by preventing the further use of asbestos.”
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