Total Ban on Asbestos in U.S. Sought by Steve McQueen's Widow

Health and Disability Cancer and Tumor Types Mesothelioma

Information provided by Rose Klein & Marias LLP - Published: 2012-09-23

U.S. Considering Total Ban on Asbestos - The U.S. government is debating the passage of a total ban on asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

Many people might remember actor Steve McQueen for his eponymous role in the movie Bullitt, where he performed what is widely considered to be one of the greatest car-chase scenes of all time. Off screen, though, McQueen garnered a more tragic notoriety when - like countless others of his generation - died from mesothelioma. He was just 50 years old when the cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos, took his life.

Now, McQueen's widow, Barbara McQueen, is using the actor's legacy to try and convince federal lawmakers to finally ban the sale and use of asbestos in the United States.

In July, Mrs. McQueen spoke at a House of Representatives staff briefing in an effort to generate support for the Safer Chemicals Act of 2012. She participated in the event as part of a contingent representing the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.

Asbestos: Deadly, Yet Common

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous mineral. It has long been valued for its pliability and heat-resistant properties, and it was used as a fire retardant for decades. That utility, however, comes at a very steep price. Working with asbestos releases microscopic fibers into the air which, when inhaled into the lungs, can cause mesothelioma, a devastating and incurable type of cancer.

The World Health Organization classifies asbestos as a "serious carcinogen."

Because of the extreme health risks surrounding asbestos use, the substance has been banned by every member of the European Union in recent years. The United States, however, has not followed suit.

In 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attempted to ban most uses of asbestos. Unfortunately, the agency's efforts were overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court allowed the EPA to ban both new and outdated uses of asbestos, but prohibited the agency from banning existing uses. It did so even though it recognized that "asbestos is a potential carcinogen at all levels of exposure."

As a result, dangerous asbestos fibers can be found in all sorts of consumer products. Some of the most common asbestos-containing products include insulation, roofing materials, gaskets, brake materials, furnace and pipe cement and heat-resistant clothing. In addition, because asbestos-containing products were once so widely used in the construction industry, many older buildings and homes contain asbestos that can be extremely harmful if it is disturbed during demolition or renovation.

Securing Justice for Mesothelioma Victims

It is still unclear whether the asbestos ban will be passed or if it will again fail to garner adequate support. Even if it does, mesothelioma will be a sad reality for many years to come. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period - often, the cancer does not appear until years or even decades after the initial exposure.

Because of this long gap between exposure and illness, many mesothelioma victims have a hard time identifying all potential sources of asbestos exposure. An experienced attorney can help in this regard. Attorneys who handle a significant number of asbestos cases have access to extensive databases of asbestos-containing products and the jobsites where they were used. By accessing this network, a skilled personal injury attorney can help mesothelioma victims secure compensation for the harm they have suffered.

Article provided by Rose Klein & Marias LLP Visit us at www.rkmlaw.net

• This web page is from the Disabled World Mesothelioma section which provides: Information and articles on mesothelioma a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.
• Symptoms of Mesothelioma - Mesothelioma (mez-uh-thee-lee-O-muh) is a type of cancer that can be either malignant or benign.
• Mesothelioma Treatment Options - A number of mesothelioma treatment options are available including radiotherapy surgery and chemotherapy.
• Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure - Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and is commonly found in outer lining of the lungs called mesothelium.
• Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments - Alternative treatments for mesothelioma described as holistic treatments not only help a patients physical well being but mentally emotionally and spiritually.

• Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance - Mesothelioma treatment, diagnosis and related information for patients and families. Legal options for those diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.
• Malignant Mesothelioma - Information about Mesothelioma treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and vaccine therapy.

• Mesothelioma - The tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs is called mesothelium. Mesothelioma is cancer of that tissue. It is a rare but serious type of cancer. It usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles. It can take a long time - 30 to 50 years - between being around asbestos and getting the disease. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or all three.

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Source: http://www.disabled-world.com/health/cancer/mesothelioma/ban.php

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