On Thursday, October 4th, 2007 the United States Senate passed the “Ban Asbestos in America Act.” This particular legislation would ban the importation, manufacture, processing and distribution of products containing asbestos. Furthermore it would educate people on the deadliness of exposure to asbestos through a public awareness campaign, and fund the development of treatments for mesothelioma and other asbestos induced diseases (new estimates show that asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma kill 10,000 Americans each year). It would also amend the “Toxic Substances Control Act” and establish a national mesothelioma registry within the next year. This bill will now move to the House of Representatives where it is expected to pass.

Source: U.S. Senate votes to ban asbestos imports and use (Reuters)