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Bonamici Bill to Ban Asbestos Advances to House Floor

November 19, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC [11/19/19] – Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to ban asbestos.

The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019 would ban the mining, importation, use, and distribution of asbestos. Many uses of asbestos are still legal in the U.S., even though it is a known carcinogen.

"Asbestos has been killing Americans for too long, leaving families and communities without their loved ones," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "These deaths are preventable. I am grateful that the House Energy and Commerce Committee took an important step toward banning this deadly substance by passing my bill, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, with strong bipartisan support. I thank Chairman Pallone for his leadership, and I will do all I can to make sure this lifesaving legislation is passed by the full House and signed into law."

The bill is named after Alan Reinstein, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 66 after contracting mesothelioma from work-related exposure to asbestos. Alan's wife, Linda, co-founded the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) in 2004.

"For 15 years, ADAO has worked towards one goal: to ban asbestos in the United States once and for all, with no loopholes or exemptions," said Linda Reinstein. "The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019 will take long-overdue action to stop hundreds of tons of raw asbestos imports and asbestos containing products from entering the U.S. It will protect all Americans — workers, first responders, consumers, and children — from being exposed to this deadly threat."

Asbestos has been banned in more than 60 other developed countries. It is harmful in all forms and known to be a leading cause of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other chronic respiratory diseases.