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http://www.thenewstribune.com/health/story/123059.html
Posted online at 4:09 p.m. Tuesday
WASHINGTON – A key Senate committee on
Tuesday approved Washington Sen. Patty Murray’s legislation banning asbestos
from products sold in the U.S.
The 19-0 vote sent the measure to the Senate
floor. This is the furthest Murray’s legislation has gotten in the three
times she’s introduced it.
Although mining of asbestos is banned in the
United States, it is still imported for a number of commercial uses,
including brake pads for cars and trucks.
In addition, the number of annual deaths from
the fibrous mineral – even a tiny particle can cause cancer when lodged in
the lungs – continues to grow.
Murray’s bill would ban asbestos, invest as
much as $50 million into research and treatment and launch a public
education campaign about the dangers.
Action on the bill came after she worked out
a compromise with Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., to give 16 old chlorine plants
that still use asbestos in their production lines time to retool.
*** POSTED
AUGUST 1, 2007 ***
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PATIENT PROFILES
