Congressman Dennis Kucinich Proposes Asbestos Reduction Bill

A proposal introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) and four other congressmen has paved the way for the World Bank to finalize a new policy that will significantly decrease the use of asbestos in new construction projects for developing countries.

Representatives hope this effort will increase awareness of the health risks associated with occupational asbestos exposure. The policy will not only install new regulations on asbestos use, but will provide an overview of eco-friendly alternatives available in the market, a list of procedures to minimize the risks of workers, and the safe removal and disposal of asbestos from all work sites.

Initially proposed in 2006, Congressman Kucinich’s efforts were stonewalled by the previous presidential administration. In March, Kucinich sent a formal letter to World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, questioning the delay in action.

“Asbestos is a highly toxic material that has no place in construction projects here or anywhere else, especially when viable alternatives are available. This guidance will reduce exposure and permanent lung damage to citizens and workers around the world,” stated Kucinich.

The asbestos scandal has a long history of corporations and governments doing little to prevent innocent workers and civilians from exposure. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the twentieth century, with no indication as to the risks they were facing. Recent studies estimate that approximately 3,000 different types of commercial products still include asbestos.

Claiming more people than any other work-related disease, mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer which develops through exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers which may cause cells to undergo changes that may result in cancer. With limited treatment and a short survival window, mesothelioma diagnosis usually results in an average survival rate of less than one year.

Congressman Kucinich has a history of battling corporations involved in the asbestos scandal. It was he who stepped up to negligent corporations who regularly bury evidence to protect themselves from lawsuits brought by those who passed away from occupational asbestos exposure. The efforts of Congressman Kucinich and the Asbestos Reduction Bill will hopefully create a more transparent and open discussion in regards to asbestos legislation.

“Global asbestos use is on the rise at the very time it should be eliminated. This report is a necessary first step toward reversing that trend,” added Kucinich.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Mesothelioma Treatment for Libby Residents Remains Funded by W.R. Grace

W.R. Grace & Company has recently announced their renewal of a $250,000 donation to the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby, Montana. Grace, who operated an asbestos-contaminated vermiculite mine in the area, is contributing the donation for the tenth consecutive year.

St. John’s is a charitable medical facility that provides healthcare to all the residents of South Lincoln County. Over the past 10 years, the donations have accumulated to more than $2 million and have been used to establish a clinic for those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

One such illness is malignant mesothelioma, which is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. This particular cancer usually affects the lining of the lungs, but it can also occur in the lining of the heart and abdomen.

In addition to establishing a clinic, the donations have been used to train medical staff, purchase equipment and treat those with medical conditions. New devices for a state-of-the-art laboratory have been purchased as well.

St. John’s CEO Bill Patten recently said, “As the sole hospital in the area, we have had to continually increase our services to meet the needs of the community. We are thankful to Grace for its financial support over the past 10 years.”

Grace also funds another medical program for current and former residents of Libby suffering from asbestos-related conditions. Grace has contributed more than $17 million to the Libby Medical Program, which has over 1,000 patients enrolled.

According to the Libby Medical Program’s Web site, “Libby Medical Program became effective on April 3, 2000 and was created to provide former employees of the Grace Libby Mine and Mill, their dependents and others who live (or lived) in the Libby area, who suffer from asbestos-related conditions and illnesses, with medical care coverage for medical treatment necessary to treat those conditions and illnesses.”

In a recent trial, a jury acquitted Grace and three of its former executives of knowingly exposing mine workers and Libby residents to asbestos. With annual sales of more than $3 billion, Grace employs about 6,200 workers and operates in more than 40 different countries.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

Senator Tester Proposes Asbestos Cleanup Plan for Libby

Senator Jon Tester has suggested a new plan that will help clean up the town of Libby, Montana and promote better health care for victims of asbestos exposure.

The town of Libby is the site where W.R. Grace & Company operated a toxic vermiculite mine that was contaminated with asbestos. Outside of the mine, asbestos contaminated nearly every part of the town, including fields, roads and even playgrounds. Asbestos also reached the yards of people’s homes as W.R. Grace would often provide asbestos-contaminated soil for those that wanted to use it in their gardens.

During a recent hearing, Tester asked Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administer Lisa Jackson to join the efforts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and work to eliminate asbestos contamination throughout the community. Tester told Jackson the joint effort would be “a giant step forward in meeting some of the challenges that occur in Libby.”

Since the official closing of the mine in 1990, more than 200 Libby residents have passed away from asbestos-related diseases such as malignant mesothelioma and nearly 2,000 have become sick. The entire community is now a Superfund site.

After hearing Tester’s new plan, Senator Dianne Feinstein offered to help, saying, “Why don’t we work together on some report language for the bill, which essentially would mandate the EPA to really do what Senator Tester has just suggested: take a new look at it, and give us some findings.”

Tester’s statement also stressed to Jackson that “The situation in Libby is serious enough that it demands your personal attention. And immediate attention.”

Earlier this year, Jackson agreed to visit Libby at the request of Montana Senator Max Baucus, who has been an advocate for asbestos victims in Libby for quite some time.

According to Baucus, “The folks of Libby mean a lot to me. I’ve been there more than 20 times since 1999 and what’s happened there is wrong. Cleaning up Libby, getting folks the health care they deserve and helping the town rebuild its economy and its future is of utmost importance. And you can bet Jon and I will keep EPA’s feet to the fire to make sure that happens.”

Previously, Tester and Baucus secured $190,000 in funding for Libby’s Center for Asbestos Related Disease, a facility that specializes in treating asbestos victims.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.