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Mar 4 2007
Senator Patty Murray announced that the bill to ban asbestos is going to be reintroduced for the third time.
40 countries have already banned asbestos when it was proved to be a carcinogenic substance. However, in U.S., it's still being used in some publicly sold commodities. Murray had filed similar legislation in two other sessions however, they were not approved. Anyway, she is more optimistic this time as Democrats are now in control of Congress. Sen. Barbara Boxer, one of the leading co-sponsors of the bill, heads the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that will have jurisdiction over it. She is a Californian Democrat.
In a news conference Thursday, Murray and Boxer introduced the new legislation which not only would ban asbestos, but create a $50 million program for research and treatment of asbestos-related health issues at 10 centers around the country also. Boxer assured to make passage a priority. “When I took the gavel, I had a feeling this could come my way. I welcome the opportunity," Boxer said.
Murray expressed hope that this may be the year in which asbestos would be banned once and for all in USA. It was the news reports regarding the high number of cancer deaths in Libby, Mont., where asbestos was mined, which made Murray interested to try for asbestos ban.
"Despite the well-publicized health risks from exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, it’s still used in the manufacture of some items," she said.
She had a box containing brake pads with her which she purchased last week from a retail outlet. There was a warning on the box to suggest that the pads were fabricated with asbestos.
“Asbestos is deadly. Ten thousand Americans die every year because of cancer. But it is still knowingly being used and imported into this country,” she said.
According to Murray, a single fiber can cause cancer. She said that banning the use of asbestos won’t result in any inconvenience.
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