Anti-Asbestos Advocates Urge EPA To Take Action To End Asbestos Imports And Use At Public Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2021

ANTI-ASBESTOS ADVOCATES URGE EPA TO TAKE ACTION TO END ASBESTOS IMPORTS AND USE AT PUBLIC MEETING

 Advocates Highlight How Communities of Color and Low-Income Americans are Disproportionately Impacted by Asbestos Disease and Illnesses

WASHINGTON, DC — Advocates from the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) will participate in the public meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the development of risk management actions under section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos and PV29. 

“As a mesothelioma widow, I am encouraged that EPA is actively recognizing asbestos as an environmental justice issue,” said Linda Reinstein, a mesothelioma widow and ADAO co-founder. “For far too long, asbestos victims have been silenced by this known human carcinogen while imports and use continue, and disproportionately impact low-income and communities of color.” 

In 2020, Texas and Louisiana imported nearly 300 metric tons of raw asbestos. The chlor-alkali industry is the primary importer and user of raw chrysotile asbestos. The two main ports of entry are located in New Orleans and Houston where an estimated 65 percent of the residents are Black or Hispanic.

“Asbestos “risk management” has been a dismal failure and led to ongoing exposures, suffering, and deaths for hundreds of thousands of Americans. ADAO urges EPA to move swiftly to prohibit asbestos imports and use that EPA themselves identified in Part I of the chrysotile risk evaluation and then quickly finish the evaluations for the other five fibers, and legacy asbestos found in homes, schools, workplaces, and in superfund sites,” Reinstein stated.

Joining Reinstein to speak at the meeting are Bob Sussman, ADAO Counsel, and Travis L., an asbestos victim from Louisiana. 

Please find the remarks of all three speakers linked here: 

• Linda Reinstein Remarks
• Bob Sussman Remarks
• Travis L. Remarks

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ABOUT ADAO 

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is a global leader in combining education, advocacy, and community initiatives to prevent and end asbestos exposure. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims’ civil rights. ADAO, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not make legal referrals. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tracy Russo, UpShift Strategies