Syracuse, New York 12/10/2008 5:11:11 AM
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center Urges Lawmakers to Decline Legislation Seeking Weakened Asbestos Regulations
Bill Would Complicate Existing Regulation Procedures
Among the many tasks President Bush and his administration are trying to accomplish before President-elect Barack Obama assumes the White House in January is legislation that would weaken future regulation of asbestos.
The bill essentially attempts to complicate the government process of regulating certain hazardous materials, including asbestos, to the point where regulations from government will be unlikely given the amount of time and resources which would need to be devoted to enact bans and limits. Public health who have examined the bill say that the additional steps needed to enact regulations would slow down the process to the point where additional deaths and illnesses are certain.
Among the bill's opponents are Obama, as well as a large contingent of the incoming administration. The bill would benefit corporations who understand that regulations would be expensive and decrease profit margins. The bill would compromise worker safety, leaving many to be exposed to potentially life threatening toxins like asbestos.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center strongly opposes any legislative initiative which would leave workers in danger of toxin. The majority of asbestos products were banned in the late 1970's by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Environmental Protection Agency. Legislation that threatens the ability of these agencies to regulate toxins would effectively compromise existing regulation and put these bans in danger of repeal.
Thousands of deaths each year are directly attributed to asbestos exposure. Inhaled asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer as well as numerous other respiratory complications. Palliative mesothelioma treatment options are available but prognosis is generally poor. The only deterrant to protecting workers from exposure to toxins like asbestos is comprehensive regulation of hazards like asbestos.
The Mesothelioma and Asbestos Awareness Center has long been recognized as the web's leading resource for relevant and current information concerning mesothelioma and thoracic disease. For more information please visit us on the web at www.maacenter.org.
