Posted July 22, 2024

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) hosted its 19th Congressional Staff Briefing Luncheon on July 22 in Washington, DC. In keeping with our tradition, the briefing was dedicated to Mike Mattmuller, an extraordinary Mesothelioma Warrior who courageously battled the disease until April 2020. To learn more about Mike’s unwavering tenacity and devotion to his family, you can find additional information here.

Each of the six speakers made a compelling presentation about prevention, and policy to eliminate all asbestos-caused diseases and the dangers of asbestos. Speakers included Amy J. Bahruth from the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO; Brent Kynoch of the Environmental Information Association; Linda Reinstein representing the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization; Greg Russell from the International Association of Fire Fighters; Bob Sussman, JD, Counsel for the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization; and James Williams, Jr. from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.

During the briefing, our panel of experts discussed crucial topics, including:

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

Each speaker shared powerful quotes with staffers, resonating the need to prevent exposure.

Amy J. Bahruth, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO

  • Asbestos is in aging school buildings across the country. It negatively impacts the health of students, educators, and school staff. At the AFT, we’ve focused on the threat of asbestos.

Brent Kynoch, Environmental Information Association

  • Legacy asbestos still resides in homes, schools, workplaces, and the environment. Without a ban, the “legacy” of exposure, disease, and death will continue unabated.

Linda Reinstein, Cofounder, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

  • Over 40,000 Americans die each year from asbestos-caused diseases, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and cancers of the larynx and ovaries. Asbestos-related diseases are 100% preventable. 

Greg Russell, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

  • As asbestos becomes disturbed or damaged by fire or fire suppression activities, deadly fibers become airborne, and firefighters inhale large amounts of these microscopic fibers, increasing their risk of developing a life-altering asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Bob Sussman, JD, Counsel, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

  • A partial ban on one asbestos fiber is not enough; we need a ban on all fibers and conditions of use. 

James Williams, Jr., Director, Federal Relations, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc

  • The ACS CAN supports the passage of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act that will ban all six asbestos fibers – chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite, and the Libby Amphibole (winchite, and richterite) in all conditions of use. 

For more in-depth information, view our online staff briefing resources materials.

ADAO deeply thanks the briefing speakers for sharing their time and wisdom with the staffers.

Together, we can advance asbestos prevention and elimination!

Linda Reinstein

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