One of the many projects that the Bush administration is trying to achieve before the Obama administration takes over the White House in January is a legislation that would weaken the future regulation of asbestos. The bill will attempt to obscure the government process of monitoring certain hazardous materials, including asbestos.
Among the bill’s opposers are Barack Obama as well as a large group of the incoming administration. The bill would sellout worker safety, leaving many to be exposed to asbestos. The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center strongly discourages any legislations which could leave workers in danger of the deadly chemical. Asbestos products were banned in the late 1970’s and a bill that would intimidate the power of the agencies to control harmful chemicals can compromise existing arrangements and put these bans in danger of withdrawal.
Source: Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center Urges Lawmakers to Decline Legislation Seeking Weakened Asbestos Regulations
Share This
Asbestos crusaders have accepted a government bill which could lead to changes to the unsettling way mesothelioma deaths are dealt with. Presently what happens is that policemen questions the relatives of the deceased which can cause additional distress to people already going through a very difficult time.
Adjustments introduced in the Coroners and Justice bill could bring a stop to this practice. The bill introduces a more delicate approach to the needs of the saddened families.
Source: Coroners bill may put end to ‘distress’
Share This
Many mine workers in Zimbabwe are worried after the South African ban on asbestos was imposed. There were about 10,000 people working at two asbestos mines which produce $60 million a year in sales of chrysotile asbestos. These mines make irrigation and water reticulation pipes, brake pads and gaskets.
The new conditions regarding the industries that deal with asbestos would clearly affect the livelihood of many miners but it was stressed that anybody who has been affected by exposure to asbestos would understand the importance of this new rule.
South Africa has united with more than 50 other countries against chrysotile asbestos which is believed to be a highly hazardous mineral. The mineral has become more popular not because of its use but more so because of the bad effects to people who are exposed to it. There has been less use of asbestos worldwide after its harmful effects have been made known to the public.
Source: South African Asbestos Ban Spells Troubles for Mines
Share This
Medical and Scientific Practitioners such as Doctors, Clinical Scientists and the like are coming together for a petition that will prohibit the manufacture and use of products having asbestos. These people who have always helped those who were victimized by asbestos exposure are pushing for a legislation that will ultimately prohibit asbestos in the U.S.
Washington senator Patty Murray have worked against asbestos for 6 years, trying to pass a bill that will keep everyone safe from this hazardous mineral although there are people saying that Bill SB742 will not fully succeed in ending the lethal effects of asbestos exposure. The bill was believed to be toned down so that it will be easily passed. It still allowed products with up to 1 percent asbestos to be excluded from the ban which only means that people will still be susceptible to asbestos exposure in all things from road patches to stuffed teddy bears.
There will be a hearing come the start of spring to hopefully improve the bill. There are 40 countries to date who have a total ban on asbestos which includes nearly all the European Union members while the U.S. has only given strong caution regarding asbestos use.
Source: Medical Community Drafts Asbestos Petition
Share This
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)
Share This