Finally!

Today was a historic day for mesothelioma victims, their families, and loved ones. The U.S. Senate passed the Ban Asbestos in America Act (S.742). On March 1, 2007, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation to prohibit the importation or manufacture of products containing asbestos in the U.S.

The bill garnered the support of many senators due in part to the tireless efforts of people affected by asbestos, and was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee under the chairmanship of Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA). On this day there were over 115 volunteers from 28 states lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Sen. Boxer, upon learning that the bill fell under her committee's jurisdiction, thundered "We must push this bill through, now!"

Sen. Murray was beaming with pride today as she made the announcement to attendees of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Medical Symposium in Washington, D.C. She expressed thanks to Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) who took up the cause after the the death in 2002 of Sen. Murray's "good friend and partner in this bill," Senator Paul Wellstone.

The Ban Asbestos Act will expand research and treatment by creating a $50 million asbestos-related research and treatment network. The bill will create a new national asbestos-related disease registry, and it will direct the Department of Defense to conduct additional research on prevention and treatment of asbestos disease.

Finally, this historic bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a public education campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of asbestos-containing products in homes and in the workplace.

This is a giant and long overdue step towards finally banning one of the most toxic substances on earth. A companion bill now must pass the U.S. of House of Representatives and secure the signature of the President before it becomes law.