BAN ASBESTOS
IN THE UNITED STATES
The asbestos form minerals should have never been taken from the earth.
Asbestos has killed over a million people in the United States. We continue
to spend billions of dollars a year cleaning up for the past use of asbestos.
Each year, over 250,000 sick people or their families file claims for compensation
for asbestos-related disease. Yet this horrible substance is still being
distributed through our society. Asbestos used today will guarantee
the deaths of thousands of our children and grandchildren. Why does this
madness continue? Why doesn't the United State congress join with Europe
and over a dozen other countries in banning all uses of asbestos?
Until 1980, the U.S. Industry placed 700,000 thousand tons of asbestos
in over three thousand different building and machine parts. This was
done each year. Many times the asbestos was only part of the mixture of
glue, plaster, cement, paper, rope, gasket, break, pad or paint. Asbestos
killed the workers who made and installed these products. As these products
were used, the asbestos escaped to pollute everyone's environment. Now
innocent children and adults, who have no occupational contact with asbestos,
are getting deadly mesothelioma cancer. Asthma, lung infections like bronchitis,
heart attacks, cancers, and infections throughout the body are increasing
as a result of asbestos exposure. Ninety-percent of autopsies in New York
City showed asbestos related lung changes and fibers of asbestos. The
ages ranged from 1-78.
Recently a national scandal erupted in Libby, Montana. Thousands of
people, including children, are found to have asbestos related disease
or are under constant monitoring due to asbestos exposure from the vermiculite
mine. Vermiculite, known by the EPA to contain up to 14% deadly asbestos,
is still allowed to be sold as attic insulation and potting soil. Now
nursery workers, rail road workers and others are dying from asbestos
disease due to their exposure to vermiculite. The EPA could have stopped
this in 1984 but failed to do so. This example is one of thousands that
show the controlled use of asbestos is not possible without spreading
disease and death. Asbestos use in any form is deadly. Asbestos
must be banned. The United States must forbid any company from exporting
or importing asbestos. All contaminated areas must be cleaned properly.
All asbestos victims must be fully compensated. This tragedy has gone
on far to long. The asbestos industry represents only a fraction of 1%
of the business community. Its assets and those of its insurers offer
the basis for funding the solutions. No real solutions can be provided
without first banning asbestos. The ban must include decontamination programs
and compensation programs. The U.S. Uses less than 25,000 tons of asbestos
each year and there are many suitable and safe substitutes.
December 17th is ASBESTOS HAZARD AWARENESS DAY.
Its message this year is Ban Asbestos.
Paul Safchuck, President October 25, 2000
Send statements of support, group resolutions, questions and donations
to the above address. Remember: December 17, 2000, is ASBESTOS
HAZARD AWARENESS DAY.
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