“THE BAN ASBESTOS IN AMERICA ACT OF 2007”

To address the national scourge of asbestos, I've again introduced the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007 (S. 742).

My bill does three things:

Bans asbestos. It prohibits the importation, manufacture, processing and distribution of products containing asbestos. Unfortunately some 2,500 metric tons of asbestos was used in the U.S. in 2005 and imports of products containing asbestos in cement pipe, tiles, brake gaskets and linings continue unabated today.

Dramatically expands research and treatment. It creates a $50-million, 10-center “Asbestos-Related Disease Research and Treatment Network.” It creates a new National Asbestos-Related Disease Registry. It supports research at the Department of Defense and launches a study to determine the most promising areas for new research.

Launches a public education campaign to better inform Americans of the dangers of exposures to asbestos in the workplace and in the environment, while also providing helpful steps all of us can take to better protect our families.