 
June 14, 2002
Senator Debbie Stabenow
702 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Stabenow,
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
|