For Immediate Release:
Friday, October 2, 2020
WASHINGTON – Legislation to ban the future use and importation of the notorious and deadly carcinogen asbestos was blocked from passing the House Thursday night after lobbyists representing a powerful sector of the building and construction industry objected.
The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, or NSSGA, stopped the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, or ARBAN (H.R.1603,) from coming up for a vote over complaints that the definition of asbestos in the legislation was too broad, arguing it “deviates from the longstanding, mineralogically accurate definition.”
However, contrary to NSSGA’s claims, there is no widely accepted definition of asbestos, and the way it is defined in the ARBAN bill draws from established and health-protective approaches from federal government agencies, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH has publicly stated concerns about the scientific challenges posed by an overly narrow definition of the carcinogen that continues to kill up to 15,000 Americans a year.
“It’s outrageous that instead of passing this critical piece of legislation that would finally ban asbestos, one of the deadliest substances ever used in commerce, Congress caved under pressure from industry,” said EWG Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Scott Faber. “Banning something as dangerous as asbestos that has killed tens of thousands of Americans should be a layup for Congress. Sadly, for far too long, our elected and appointed leaders have sided with the narrow interests of industry and ignored the deadly threat asbestos poses to public health.”
“Some may think the risk of exposure to asbestos is low and the deadly diseases it causes are rare, but that is the furthest thing from the truth,” said Faber. “Asbestos-related diseases continue to kill thousands of people each year in this country, and time and again, asbestos has contaminated talc-based products, including baby powder, makeup and children’s toys. Today’s failure by the House is yet another setback to finally ending all uses of this deadly substance in the U.S. for once and for all.”
Geologically, talc and asbestos can naturally occur alongside each other in rock. Talc deposits in many regions are contaminated with asbestos fibers.
Asbestos-triggered diseases kill up to 15,000 Americans each year, and since its introduction in the 1930s, it has devastated hundreds of thousands of American families. Fifty-eight nations have banned asbestos, but in 1991, a federal court overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s ban.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
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