As an ADAO Science Advisory Board co-chair, I want to alert you to three new bills introduced in the Senate last week.

Senators Boxer and Markey's The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act (S.725) and Senator Durbin's  Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act are landmark bill's that will indeed protect public health.  

We have grave concerns and oppose as written Senators Vitter, Udall, and Inhofe's The Frank R. Lautenberg 21st Century Chemical Safety Act (S. 697) which if passed in its current state, is worse than the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 1976 reform bill that already exists.  

In this ADAO special edition you will find information about all of the three bills, ADAO's two press releases, and our new infographic.

The time is now for the United States to draft and pass 21st century legislation that will finally ban asbestos and empower the EPA to regulate dangerous chemicals.

Richard A. Lemen, Ph.D., MSPH

Assistant Surgeon General (ret.)

USPHS

The irrefutable facts about asbestos, a known carcinogen, show that it remains legal and lethal in the U.S.  More than 10,000 Americans die every year from preventable asbestos caused diseases, yet asbestos imports continue.

On March 11, Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.) introduced the "Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act" (S. 697), the "Chemical Industry Bill", would reduce the EPA's ability to regulate chemicals such as asbestos.  The Vitter/Udall  bill doesn't even mention the word "asbestos" and would be worse than current law.

In swift reaction to this, the next day, Senators Boxer and Markey introduced "The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act" (S. 725) with expedited action to ban asbestos and empower the EPA to regulate toxic chemicals.  Named after my late husband, Alan, and Trevor, a brain cancer survivor.  Alan represents past, present, and future asbestos victims and their families horrifically impacted by asbestos.

This Act, S.725, will reform the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), with these key these key provisions:

• Protects children and vulnerable populations from harmful toxins
• Provides stronger safety standards and quicker safety reviews of chemicals
• Ensures exposure from chemical spills and leaks are addressed
• Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to act quickly to consider a ban on asbestos
• Maintains states' rights to protect people from dangerous toxic chemicals

Further information can be found here: 

The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act Summary.

It's taken nearly forty years to reform TSCA - S. 725. This is a bill for today and our future. Join ADAO in supporting the real TSCA reform in  "The Alan Reinstein and Trevor Schaefer Toxic Chemical Protection Act." 

In unity,  Linda Reinstein, ADAO President and Co-Founder