Press Releases

Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Gene Green (TX-29) today introduced the Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act to protect American families and workers from exposure to asbestos.

“It’s unacceptable that so many Americans and their families suffer from contact with deadly asbestos. We can and must prevent exposure,” DelBene said. “My legislation will save lives and reduce exposure through increased transparency while ensuring the public is informed of where asbestos has been used.”

“Thousands of Americans fall victim to asbestos-related illnesses each year. These tragedies might have been prevented with greater public knowledge of where asbestos is located,” Green said. “This is why today I’m joining Congresswoman DelBene in introducing this legislation that would expand on current transparency requirements and make information available to the public that will reduce exposure and save lives.”

The READ Act updates the Asbestos Information Act signed by President Reagan in 1988, directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain a publicly searchable online asbestos database of products and locations containing asbestos. The bill would also require companies manufacturing, importing or handling asbestos-containing products to annually report information to the EPA about their products and any publicly-accessible location in which the products have been known to be present in the past year. Those who don’t comply would face penalties for providing false and inaccurate information.

Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that increases the risk of cancers in those who are exposed. Asbestos-related diseases still claim as many as 10,000 American lives every year and more than 100,000 worldwide. Some countries have banned the use of asbestos products but it is still currently used in the United States.

“While asbestos is no longer mined in the U.S., it still is used in products, and remains in millions of homes, schools and office buildings, continuing to put the public at risk,” said Alex Formuzis, Vice President for strategic campaigns at Environmental Working Group Action Fund. “The bill put forth by Reps. DelBene and Green would give concerned citizens valuable information that they can use to avoid coming into contact with this lethal, and still legal, substance.”

DelBene has been a consistent advocate for victims of asbestos exposure. Earlier this year, asbestos victims were barred from testifying at a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

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