June 14, 2002
Senator Carl Levin
SR-269, Russell Senate Office Building
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Levin,
I am writing to you requesting your strong and urgent
support for a bill about to be introduced into the Senate
by Senator Patty Murray from Washington. This bill has been
named "The Asbestos-Containing Products Risk Reduction
Act of 2002." This bill seeks to update the Toxic
Substances Control Act of 1976 and address long-standing
issues with regard to asbestos. As I'm sure you are
aware, many Michigan citizens have been exposed to asbestos
and are at risk for the development of health related
problems. All forms of asbestos have been shown to cause
diseases such as asbestosis (a chronic and deadly disease
of the lung), lung cancer, and the particularly deadly
cancer of the lining of the chest cavity called
"mesothelioma." This currently
incurable tumor claimed the life of Representative Bruce
Vento (Minnesota) only a short time ago on October 10, 2000
and continues to kill approximately 3000-4000 Americans
every year. The issues surrounding asbestos have recently
surfaced primarily because of the World Trade Center Attack
of September 11, 2001 as well as new evidence from asbestos
mining in Libby, Montana.
Briefly, the provisions of the bill create a Blue Ribbon
Panel to investigate the use of all durable fibers and
their toxic effects. Specifically, directives to establish
uniform methods of detecting and measuring asbestos as well
as to determine a safe standard for exposure are included.
Other important topics that are addressed by the bill
include public education and research.
I am particularly interested in addressing the research
issues. I am a Professor of Surgery and Oncology at the
Karmanos Cancer Institute, and I have been involved in both
the care of patients with mesothelioma as well as research
on this deadly disease for over 14 years. Like me, a few
dedicated scientists have been working in this area for
years without much support from the NIH as well as other
money-granting agencies. In 1999, I helped found (am I
continue to serve Scientific Advisory Board Director) the
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) now
headquartered in Santa Barbara, California in an attempt to
change the feeling of hopelessness that envelopes everyone
who deals with this disease, including the patients
themselves. Through MARF we have made progress in directing
private money (most coming from mesothelioma patients,
themselves) to promising areas of research. At Karmanos, I
have new clinical trials in mesothelioma using surgery and
a drug which prevents new blood vessel growth to the
remaining mesothelioma cells. We also are investigating the
latest in molecular biology, including gene expression
arrays and proteomics in order to detect the disease
earlier. These exciting data could save thousands of lives
worldwide from this disease but obviously these studies
require funding. Our detection data is so specific and
sensitive that we can detect a mesothelioma from 1 cc of
fluid and distinguish it from other non-mesothelioma
fluids. Can you imagine how many lives this could save as
well as extend precious time for these unfortunate patients
if these is a little more funding to help validate and
finish up these studies?
The Asbestos-Containing Products Risk Reduction Act of 2002
addresses these as well as other problems The ability to
appropriate funds for selected centers of excellence in
mesothelioma is a wise investment and will pay huge humane
dividends. Your help in supporting these efforts is
crucial, especially since one of these centers of
excellence (mine!) is in your state.
In summary, Karmanos has been a leader in the area of
mesothelioma research and, in specifically, in the area of
early detection, molecular genetic studies, and novel
treatment options. Karmanos also has worked closely with
MARF to build a national and even an international
collaborative group to further mesothelioma and asbestos
research. This expertise should be recognized and aided as
much as possible. The Asbestos-Containing Products Risk
Reduction Act of 2002 can provide such assistance. I hope
that you will support Michigan's efforts in this war on
asbestos-related diseases and support the above bill. I
would be happy to meet with you to further explain our
program or clarify any issues if it would help in this
endeavor.
Sincerely,
Harvey I. Pass MD
Professor of Surgery and Oncology
Wayne State University and Karmanos Cancer Institute
Associate Director for Clinical Research
Chief, Thoracic Oncology
Detroit Medical Center
Chief of Thoracic Surgery
Detroit Veterans Hospital
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