National Asbestos Awareness Week Shows That Much Work Needs to Be Done to End the Asbestos Crisis

Those who have been affected by asbestos disease are all too aware of the catastrophic consequences that result from asbestos exposure. Whether it is you or a loved one who has been diagnosed with asbestos cancer, you quickly become inundated with the despicable facts surrounding the asbestos industry and their negligence.  It is hard to believe that most people are unaware of the dangers of asbestos and are still susceptible to exposure.  Because of this, there is a great need for a continued focus on asbestos education and awareness.

This month, the United States Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 66, establishing the week of April 1st – 7Th, 2013 as National Asbestos Awareness Week (NAAW). The first week of April will hopefully organize the efforts of asbestos advocates to shed light on the asbestos public health crisis and encourage more people to actively support a ban on asbestos.

When people inhale or ingest asbestos they are at risk for developing fatal diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestos fibers are often invisible to the human eye, so exposure typically occurs without notice.

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) was responsible for sponsoring S.R. 66 along with several other co-sponsors. Sen. Baucus has first-hand knowledge of the damage that asbestos exposure can cause. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared the town of Libby, Montana a public health emergency in 2009. The asbestos mining town was consistently exposed to dangerously high asbestos levels and the people of Libby endured numerous cases of asbestos disease.

Baron and Budd is a platinum sponsor of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest independent victim’s organization in the U.S. The mesothelioma law firm believes in ADAO’s mission to promote education and raise awareness on asbestos disease and to advocate for an international ban on asbestos. After over 35 years of representing asbestos patients against the negligence of the asbestos industry, Baron and Budd remains committed to fighting for the interests of the people who continue to suffer from asbestos exposure.