Whereas
dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted;
Whereas the inhalation of airborne asbestos
fibers can cause significant damage;
Whereas these fibers can cause
mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health problems;
Whereas asbestos-related diseases can take
10 to 50 years to present themselves;
Whereas the expected survival time for
those diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months;
Whereas generally little is known about
late stage treatment and there is no cure for asbestos-related diseases;
Whereas early detection of asbestos-related
diseases may give some patients increased treatment options and might improve
their prognosis;
Whereas the United States has substantially
reduced its consumption of asbestos yet continues to consume almost 7,000
metric tons of the fibrous mineral for use in certain products throughout the
Nation;
Whereas asbestos-related diseases have
killed thousands of people in the United States;
Whereas asbestos exposures continue and
safety and prevention will reduce and has reduced significantly asbestos
exposure and asbestos-related diseases;
Whereas asbestos has been a cause of
occupational cancer;
Whereas thousands of workers in the United
States face significant asbestos exposure;
Whereas thousands of Americans die from
asbestos-related diseases every year;
Whereas a significant percentage of all
asbestos-related disease victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in
shipyards;
Whereas asbestos was used in the
construction of a significant number of office buildings and public facilities
built before 1975; and
Whereas
the establishment of a “National Asbestos Awareness Day” would raise public
awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of
asbestos exposure: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate designates the first day of
April 2006 as National Asbestos Awareness Day
.