Senate Passes Bill to Ban Asbestos

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on October 12, 2007

The bill, proposed by Sen. Patty Murray six years ago, would completely prohibit the production and distribution of asbestos material in the United States.

This means that two years after the ban's implementation, hair dryers, ceiling tiles, brakes, and nearly 3,000 other imported products would be asbestos-free, Murray said.

Each year in the U.S., consumers use approximately 2,000 tons of asbestos, a fibrous material known for its good insulation and fire-resistance capabilities. It was used in many construction projects in the 1970s before research linked asbestos exposure to fatal health conditions such as mesothelioma.

The bill would also set up a $50 million national mesothelioma registry for research and treatment, and create a campaign aimed at informing the public of the dangers of asbestos.

If the bill is approved by the House and signed by the president, the U.S. would become the 41st nation to ban the dangerous material.

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