19th Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization Congressional Staff Briefing Resources

July 18, 2024

ADAO is proud to host the 19th Congressional Staff Briefing, “Impact of Asbestos on Public Health, Environment, and Economy” on July 22, 2024, at 12 – 1 pm EDT. 

DEDICATION: The “Impact of Asbestos on Public Health, Environment, and Economy” briefing is dedicated to Mike, an amazing Mesothelioma Warrior and beloved community member who passed away in April 2020.

TO BE DISCUSSED: 

1. Health effects of asbestos exposure, asbestos-related diseases, and available treatments
2. Current asbestos imports, commercial uses, and consumer products
3. Legacy asbestos exposure in homes, schools, and buildings
4. Increase legacy asbestos exposure risk to teachers and first responders 
5. Regulatory updates, including the limited EPA Part 1 Chrysotile Asbestos Final Rule and EPA Part 2 Legacy Asbestos Draft Risk Evaluation
6. The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (S.1069 and H.R.2402) a comprehensive commercial asbestos ban

SPEAKERS:

• Amy J. Bahruth, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO
• Brent Kynoch, Environmental Information Association
• Linda Reinstein, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization 
• Greg Russell, International Association of Fire Fighters 
• Bob Sussman, JD, Counsel for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization 
• James Williams, Jr., American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.

BRIEFING MATERIALS:

• ADAO RELEASE: PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPERTS URGE CONGRESS TO BAN ASBESTOS IN CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING 
• Powerpoint: 2024 ADAO’s 19th Congressional Staff Briefing “Impact of Asbestos on Public Health, Environment, and Economy”
• Briefing Speaker Biographies
• Briefing Executive Summary Quotes
• ADAO Staff Briefing: “Impact of Asbestos on Public Health, Environment, and Economy” – Experts Call for Congress to Ban Asbestos
• Briefing Flyer 

EPA Press Release

• EPA Issues Notice of Violation to ACCEL Schools and Seeks Immediate Action to Address Asbestos and Lead Paint Concerns at Schools in Youngstown, Niles and Warren, Ohio

ADAO BLOGS 

• ADAO URGES FORCEFUL EPA RESPONSE TO PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT OF LEGACY ASBESTOS
• Eight Years After TSCA Reform: Progress, Challenges, and the Unfinished Fight to Ban Asbestos

ARBAN RESOURCES

• The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act (S.1069 & H.R.2402) Statement of Principles 
• 2023 ARBAN Video by Sen. Jeff Merkley
• 2023 ARBAN Video by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici 
• ARBAN 2022 Senate EPW Hearing (VIDEO)
• ARBAN May 2019 House E&C Hearing (VIDEO)
• ARBAN November 2019 House E&C Mark-Up (VIDEO) Voted out by 47-1
• Olin Corporation Strongly Recommits to Support Asbestos Ban
• Olin’s April 2023 Letter to EPA

• Prevention and Policy in Action: Tracing Asbestos Regulations and Legal Challenges in the U.S. from 1989 to 2024

Federal Register EPA Notices:

• Asbestos Part 1; Chrysotile Asbestos; Regulation of Certain Conditions of Use Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)  03/28/2024
• Asbestos Part 2 Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals; Draft Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act; Notice of Availability, Webinar and Request for Comment  04/16/2024
• Asbestos; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 07/25/2023

CONSTITUENTS’ STORIES and EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS 

• 200+ Testimonies in our “Share Your Story” Collection 
• ADAO Legacy Asbestos Safety Graphic: 5 Essential Tips to Prevent Exposure

STUDIES

• 2019 State-by-State Asbestos Mortality Study  
• 2022 Lancet “Carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter”
• 2022 “Shift in lung cancer stage at diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City”
• 2013 NIOSH Study of Firefighters Finds Increased Rates of Cancer