[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3339 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3339
To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks
posed by asbestos-containing products, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 2, 2007
Ms. McCollum of Minnesota (for herself, Mr. Peterson of Minnesota, Mr.
Ramstad, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Clyburn, Mr.
Lewis of Georgia, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Markey, Mr. Rahall, Ms. Waters, Ms.
Woolsey, Mr. Kanjorski, Mr. Waxman, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Farr, Mr. Skelton,
Ms. Hooley, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Walz of Minnesota, Mr. Inslee, Ms. Kaptur,
Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Hinchey, Ms.
Eshoo, Mr. Nadler, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Tierney, Ms. Wasserman
Schultz, Ms. Lee, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Braley of Iowa, and Ms. Linda T.
Sanchez of California) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to reduce the health risks
posed by asbestos-containing products, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bruce Vento Ban Asbestos and Prevent
Mesothelioma Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) Bruce Vento was a teacher, a state legislator and a
Member of Congress representing Minnesota's Fourth District
from 1977 to 2000 who dedicated his career to promoting
worker's rights and a clean, healthy environment;
(2) Congressman Vento died on October 10, 2000, from
pleural mesothelioma, likely contracted from minimal contact
with asbestos while working in factories as a young man;
(3)(A) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency has classified asbestos as a category A human
carcinogen, the highest cancer hazard classification for a
substance; and
(B) the International Agency for Research on Cancer has
classified asbestos as a class 1 human carcinogen;
(4) many people in the United States incorrectly believe
that--
(A) asbestos has been banned in the United States;
and
(B) there is no risk of exposure to asbestos
through the use of new commercial products;
(5) the United States Geological Survey reported that, in
2006, the United States used 2,000 metric tons of asbestos, of
which approximately--
(A) 55 percent was used in roofing products;
(B) 26 percent was used in coatings; and
(C) 19 percent was used in other products, such as
friction products;
(6) the Department of Commerce estimates that the United
States imports more than $100,000,000 of brake parts per year;
(7) available evidence suggests that--
(A) imports of some types of asbestos-containing
products are increasing; and
(B) some of those products are imported from
foreign countries in which asbestos is poorly
regulated;
(8) there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos;
(9) even low levels of exposure to asbestos may cause
asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma;
(10) millions of workers in the United States have been,
and continue to be, exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos;
(11) worker deaths from noncancerous lung disease can occur
at levels of exposure to asbestos below the levels allowed by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as of the
date of enactment of this Act;
(12) the University of Minnesota, along with health care
providers, Minnesota State legislators, and community partners,
has initiated the Minnesota Taconite Workers Lung Health
Partnership, to provide a greater understanding of taconite
workers health issues, study the causes of the increase in
deaths to mesothelioma among taconite mine workers, and provide
recommendations to limit risk to workers and their families;
(13) families of workers are put at risk because of
asbestos brought home by the workers on the shoes, clothes,
skin, and hair of the workers;
(14) approximately \1/3\ of mesothelioma victims were
exposed to asbestos while serving the United States on Navy
ships or shipyards;
(15) the National Institutes of Health reported to Congress
in 2006 that mesothelioma is a difficult disease to detect,
diagnose, and treat;
(16) the Environmental Working Group estimates that as many
as 10,000 citizens of the United States die each year from
mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;
(17)(A) mesothelioma responds poorly to conventional
chemotherapy; and
(B) although new combination treatments for mesothelioma
have demonstrated some benefits--
(i) the median survival period for mesothelioma is
only 1 year after diagnosis of the disease; and
(ii) the majority of mesothelioma patients die
within 2 years of diagnosis of the disease;
(18) in hearings before Congress in the early 1970s, the
example of asbestos was used to justify the need for
comprehensive legislation on toxic substances;
(19) in 1976, Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control
Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.);
(20) in 1989, the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency promulgated final regulations under title II
of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2641 et seq.) to
phase out asbestos in consumer products by 1997;
(21) in 1991, the United States Court of Appeals for the
5th Circuit overturned portions of the regulations, and the
Federal Government did not appeal the decision to the Supreme
Court;
(22) as a result, while new applications for asbestos were
banned, asbestos is still being imported and used, and is
otherwise present as a contaminant, in some consumer and
industrial products in the United States;
(23) the National Cancer Institute recognizes a clear need
for new agents to improve the outlook for patients with
mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases;
(24) the National Institutes of Health should continue to
improve detection, treatment, and management of asbestos-
related diseases, such as mesothelioma, including by providing
continued support for the pleural mesothelioma treatment and
research program and peritoneal surgical initiatives;
(25) the Department of Defense should study diseases
related to asbestos exposure in the military and veteran
population, including by conducting research in coordination
with the National Institutes of Health on the early detection
and treatment of mesothelioma;
(26) with some exceptions relating to certain uses,
asbestos has been banned in 40 countries, including Argentina,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, the Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, the Slovak Republic,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom;
(27) asbestos was banned throughout the European Union in
2005; and
(28) banning asbestos from being used in or imported into
the United States will provide certainty to manufacturers,
builders, environmental remediation firms, workers, and
consumers that after a specific date, asbestos will not be
used, added, or allowed to be knowingly present as a
contaminant in new construction and manufacturing materials
used in this country.
SEC. 3. ASBESTOS-CONTAINING PRODUCTS.
(a) In General.--Title II of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15
U.S.C. 2641 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by inserting before section 201 (15 U.S.C. 2641) the
following:
``Subtitle A--General Provisions'';
(2) in section 202(3) (15 U.S.C. 2642(3))--
(A) in each of subparagraphs (A) through (D), by
striking the commas at the end of the subparagraphs and
inserting semicolons;
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``, or'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(C) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) any material formerly classified as
tremolite, including--
``(i) winchite asbestos; and
``(ii) richterite asbestos; and
``(H) any asbestiform amphibole mineral.'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``Subtitle B--Asbestos-Containing Products
``SEC. 221. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Appropriate federal entity.--The term `appropriate
Federal entity' means any appropriate Federal entity, as
determined by the Director, including--
``(A) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry;
``(B) the Department of Health and Human Services;
``(C) the Environmental Protection Agency;
``(D) the Mine Safety and Health Administration;
``(E) the National Institute of Standards and
Technology;
``(F) the United States Geological Survey;
``(G) the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences;
``(H) the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health; and
``(I) the Occupational Health and Safety
Administration.
``(2) Asbestos-containing product.--The term `asbestos-
containing product' means any product (including any part) to
which asbestos is deliberately or knowingly added or in which
asbestos is deliberately used or knowingly present in any
concentration.
``(3) Elongated mineral particle.--The term `elongated
mineral particle' means a single crystal or similarly elongated
polycrystalline aggregate particle with a length to width ratio
of 3 to 1 or greater.
``(4) Biopersistent elongated mineral particle.--The term
`biopersistent elongated mineral particle' means an elongated
mineral particle that--
``(A) occurs naturally in the environment; and
``(B) is similar to asbestos in--
``(i) resistance to dissolution;
``(ii) leaching; and
``(iii) other physical, chemical, or
biological processes expected from contact with
lung cells and other cells and fluids in the
human body.
``(5) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
``(6) Person.--The term `person' means--
``(A) any individual;
``(B) any corporation, company, association, firm,
partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, or
other for-profit or nonprofit business entity
(including any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or
processor);
``(C) any Federal, State, or local department,
agency, or instrumentality; and
``(D) any interstate body.
``SEC. 222. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
STUDIES.
``(a) Studies.--
``(1) Current state of science study.--
``(A) In general.--The Director, in consultation
with the United States Geological Survey, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Academy
of Sciences, and appropriate Federal entities, shall
conduct a study and, not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this subtitle, submit to the
Administrator, the Committees on Environment and Public
Works and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate, the Committees on Energy and Commerce and
Education and Labor of the House of Representatives,
and other Federal agencies a report containing--
``(i) a description of the current state of
the science relating to--
``(I) the disease mechanisms and
health effects of exposure to non-
asbestiform minerals and elongated
mineral particles; and
``(II) methods for measuring and
analyzing non-asbestiform minerals and
elongated mineral particles; and
``(ii) recommendations for--
``(I) future research relating to
diseases caused by exposure to--
``(aa) non-asbestiform
minerals; and
``(bb) elongated mineral
particles;
``(II) exposure assessment practice
needs;
``(III) any new classification of
naturally occurring elongated mineral
particles; and
``(IV) 1 or more definitions and
dimensions to be used for the
quantification and risk assessment of--
``(aa) non-asbestiform
minerals; and
``(bb) elongated mineral
particles.
``(B) Components.--The report described in
subparagraph (A) shall include--
``(i) peer-reviewed published literature;
``(ii) regulatory decisions; and
``(iii) information obtained from the
National Institute for Occupational Safety
Asbestos Research Roadmap.
``(2) Mode of action and health effects study.--
``(A) In general.--The Director, in consultation
with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National
Academy of Sciences, and appropriate Federal entities,
shall conduct a study--
``(i) to evaluate the known or potential
mode of action and health effects of--
``(I) non-asbestiform minerals; and
``(II) elongated mineral particles;
and
``(ii) to develop recommendations for a
means by which to identify, distinguish, and
measure any non-asbestiform mineral or
elongated mineral particle that--
``(I) may cause any disease or
health effect; or
``(II) does not cause any disease
or health effect.
``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this subtitle, the Director shall
submit to the Committees on Environment and Public
Works and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate, and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and
Education and Labor of the House of Representatives, a
report containing--
``(i) a description of the manner by which
non-asbestiform minerals and elongated mineral
particles possess the ability to remain
biopersistent in the human body, with regard to
the ability of non-asbestiform minerals and
elongated mineral particles--
``(I) to exhibit resistence to
dissolution and leaching; and
``(II) to induce other physical,
chemical, and biological processes as a
result of contact with--
``(aa) lung cells; and
``(bb) other cells and
fluids in the human body
connected to a disease;
``(ii) a description of the means by which
to identify, distinguish, and measure any non-
asbestiform mineral or elongated mineral
particle that--
``(I) may cause any disease or
health effect, as determined by the
Director, including--
``(aa) mesothelioma;
``(bb) any other form of
cancer; and
``(cc) any other non-cancer
form of disease; and
``(II) does not cause any disease
or health effect; and
``(iii) recommendations for such controls
as the Director determines to be appropriate to
protect human health.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection.
``(b) Methodology Study.--
``(1) In general.--On the date on which the Director
submits the report described in subsection (a)(2)(B), the
Director shall initiate a study--
``(A) to develop improved sampling and analytical
methods for non-asbestiform minerals and elongated
mineral particles; and
``(B) to clarify the mechanism of action.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection.
``SEC. 223. PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subtitle, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Secretary of Labor,
shall establish a plan--
``(1) to increase awareness of the dangers posed by--
``(A) asbestos-containing materials and products
and contaminants in homes and workplaces; and
``(B) asbestos-related diseases;
``(2) to provide current and comprehensive information to
asbestos-related disease patients, family members of patients,
and front-line health care providers on--
``(A) the dangers of asbestos exposure;
``(B) asbestos-related labeling information;
``(C) health effects of exposure to asbestos;
``(D) symptoms of asbestos exposure; and
``(E) available and developing treatments for
asbestos-related diseases, including clinical trials;
``(3) to encourage asbestos-related disease patients,
family members of patients, and front-line health care
providers to participate in research and treatment endeavors
relating to asbestos; and
``(4) to encourage health care providers and researchers to
provide to asbestos-related disease patients and family members
of patients information relating to research, diagnostic, and
clinical treatments relating to asbestos.
``(b) Greatest Risks.--In establishing the program, the
Administrator shall give priority to asbestos-containing materials and
products used by consumers and workers that pose the greatest risk of
injury to human health.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
``Subtitle C--Prohibition on Asbestos-Containing Materials
``SEC. 231. DEFINITION OF DISTRIBUTE IN COMMERCE.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) In general.--The term `distribute in commerce' has
the meaning given the term in section 3.
``(2) Exclusions.--The term `distribute in commerce' does
not include--
``(A) the possession of an asbestos-containing
material by a person that is an end user; or
``(B) the possession of an asbestos-containing
material by a person solely for the purpose of disposal
of the asbestos-containing material in compliance with
applicable Federal, State, and local requirements.
``SEC. 232. PROHIBITION ON ASBESTOS-CONTAINING MATERIALS.
``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Administrator
shall promulgate--
``(1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this subtitle, proposed regulations that--
``(A) prohibit persons from importing,
manufacturing, processing, or distributing in commerce
asbestos-containing materials; and
``(B) provide for implementation of subsections (b)
and (c); and
``(2) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this subtitle, final regulations that, effective beginning 60
days after the date of promulgation, prohibit persons from
importing, manufacturing, processing, or distributing in
commerce asbestos-containing materials.
``(b) Exemptions.--
``(1) In general.--Any person may petition the
Administrator for, and the Administrator may grant, an
exemption from the requirements of subsection (a) if the
Administrator determines that--
``(A) the exemption would not result in an
unreasonable risk of injury to health or the
environment; and
``(B) the person has made good faith efforts to
develop, but has been unable to develop, a substance,
or identify a mineral, that--
``(i) does not present an unreasonable risk
of injury to health or the environment; and
``(ii) may be substituted for an asbestos-
containing material.
``(2) Terms and conditions.--An exemption granted under
this subsection shall be in effect for such period (not to
exceed a total of 3 years) and subject to such terms and
conditions as the Administrator may prescribe.
``(3) Governmental use.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall provide
an exemption from the requirements of subsection (a),
without review or limit on duration, if the exemption
for asbestos-containing material is--
``(i) sought by the Secretary of Defense
and the Secretary certifies, and provides a
copy of that certification to the Administrator
and Congress, that--
``(I) use of the asbestos
containing material is necessary to the
critical functions of the Department;
``(II) no reasonable alternatives
to the asbestos containing material
exist for the intended purpose; and
``(III) use of the asbestos
containing material will not result in
an unreasonable risk to health or the
environment; or
``(ii) sought by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
and the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration certifies,
and provides a copy of that certification to
Congress, that--
``(I) the asbestos-containing
material is necessary to the critical
functions of the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration;
``(II) no reasonable alternatives
to the asbestos-containing material
exist for the intended purpose; and
``(III) the use of the asbestos-
containing material will not result in
an unreasonable risk to health or the
environment.
``(B) Administrative procedure act.--Any exemption
provided by the Administrator under subparagraph (A),
and any certification made by the Secretary of Defense
under subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be subject to the
provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter
7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as
the `Administrative Procedure Act').
``(4) Diaphragms for existing electrolysis installations.--
``(A) In general.--The requirements of subsection
(a) shall not apply to any diaphragm electrolysis
installation in existence as of the date of enactment
of this subtitle.
``(B) Review.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 3 years
after the date of enactment of this subtitle,
and every 6 years thereafter, the Administrator
shall review the exemption provided under
subparagraph (A) to determine the
appropriateness of the exemption.
``(ii) Scope.--In conducting the review of
the exemption provided under subparagraph (A),
the Administrator shall examine the risk of
injury to an individual relating to the
operation by the individual of each diaphragm
electrolysis installation described in
subparagraph (A).
``(iii) Public participation.--In
conducting the review of the exemption provided
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall
provide public notice and a 30-day period of
public comment.
``(C) Decision relating to extension of
exemption.--Upon completion of a review of a diaphragm
electrolysis installation under subparagraph (B)(i), if
the Administrator determines that the diaphragm
electrolysis installation poses an unreasonable risk of
injury to health or the environment, the Administrator
may terminate the exemption provided to the diaphragm
electrolysis installation under subparagraph (A).
``(c) Disposal.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), not
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
subtitle, each person that possesses asbestos-containing
material that is subject to the prohibition established under
this section shall dispose of the asbestos-containing material,
by a means that is in compliance with applicable Federal,
State, and local requirements.
``(2) Exemption.--Nothing in paragraph (1)--
``(A) applies to asbestos-containing material
that--
``(i) is no longer in the stream of
commerce; or
``(ii) is in the possession of an end user;
or
``(B) requires that asbestos-containing material
described in subparagraph (A) be removed or
replaced.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in sections 1 of
the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. prec. 2601) is amended--
(1) by inserting before the item relating to section 201
the following:
``Subtitle A-General Provisions'';
and
(2) by adding at the end of the items relating to title II
the following:
``Subtitle B--Asbestos-Containing Products
``Sec. 221. Definitions.
``Sec. 222. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
report and study.
``Sec. 223. Public education program.
``Subtitle C--Prohibition on Asbestos-Containing Materials
``Sec. 231. Prohibition on asbestos-containing materials.''.
SEC. 4. ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES.
Subpart 1 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 417E. RESEARCH ON ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of
NIH and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and
support of research on diseases caused by exposure to asbestos,
particularly mesothelioma, asbestosis, and pleural injuries.
``(b) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out this section
in collaboration with--
``(1) the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry;
``(2) the Director of the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health; and
``(3) the head of any other agency, as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(c) Asbestos-Related Disease Registry.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, in cooperation with the
Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry, shall establish a mechanism by which to
obtain, coordinate, and provide data and specimens from--
``(A) State cancer registries and other cancer
registries;
``(B) the National Mesothelioma Virtual Registry
and Tissue Bank; and
``(C) each entity participating in the asbestos-
related disease research and treatment network
established under section 417F(a).
``(2) Treatment.--The data and specimens described in
paragraph (1) shall form the basis for establishing a national
clearinghouse for data and specimens relating to asbestos-
related diseases, with a particular emphasis on mesothelioma.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts made
available for the purposes described in subsection (a) under other law,
there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as are necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year
thereafter.
``SEC. 417F. ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASE RESEARCH AND TREATMENT NETWORK.
``(a) Establishment.--For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012,
the Director of NIH, in collaboration with other applicable Federal,
State, and local agencies and departments, shall establish and maintain
an asbestos-related disease research and treatment network (referred to
in this section as the `Network') to support the detection, prevention,
treatment, and cure of asbestos-related diseases, with particular
emphasis on malignant mesothelioma.
``(b) Inclusions.--The Network shall include--
``(1) intramural research initiatives of the National
Institutes of Health; and
``(2) at least 10 extramural asbestos-related disease
research and treatment centers, as selected by the Director of
NIH in accordance with subsection (c).
``(c) Extramural Asbestos-Related Disease Research and Treatment
Centers.--
``(1) In general.--For each fiscal year during which the
Network is operated and maintained under subsection (a), the
Director of NIH shall select for inclusion in the Network not
less than 10 nonprofit hospitals, universities, or medical or
research institutions incorporated or organized in the United
States that, as determined by the Director of NIH--
``(A) have exemplary experience and qualifications
in research and treatment of asbestos-related diseases;
``(B) have access to an appropriate population of
patients with asbestos-related diseases; and
``(C) are geographically distributed throughout the
United States, with special consideration given to
areas of high incidence of asbestos-related diseases.
``(2) Requirements.--Each center selected under paragraph
(1) shall--
``(A) be chosen by the Director of NIH after
competitive peer review;
``(B) conduct laboratory and clinical research,
including clinical trials, relating to--
``(i) mechanisms for effective therapeutic
treatment of asbestos-related diseases;
``(ii) early detection and prevention of
asbestos-related diseases;
``(iii) palliation of asbestos-related
disease symptoms; and
``(iv) pain management with respect to
asbestos-related diseases;
``(C) offer to asbestos-related disease patients
travel and lodging assistance as necessary--
``(i) to accommodate the maximum number of
patients practicable; and
``(ii) to serve a number of patients at the
center sufficient to conduct a meaningful
clinical trial;
``(D) seek to collaborate with at least 1 medical
center of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide
research benefits and care to veterans who have
suffered excessively from asbestos-related diseases,
particularly mesothelioma; and
``(E) coordinate the research and treatment efforts
of the center (including specimen sharing and use of
common infomatics) with other entities included in--
``(i) the Network; and
``(ii) the National Virtual Mesothelioma
Registry and Tissue Bank.
``(3) Period of inclusion.--A center selected by the
Director of NIH under this subsection shall be included in the
Network for--
``(A) the 1-year period beginning on the date of
selection of the center; or
``(B) such longer period as the Director of NIH
determines to be appropriate.
``(d) Grants.--The Director of NIH shall provide to each center
selected for inclusion in the Network under subsection (c) for the
fiscal year a grant in an amount equal to $1,000,000 to support the
detection, prevention, treatment, and cure of asbestos-related
diseases, with particular emphasis on malignant mesothelioma.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2012.
``SEC. 417G. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RESEARCH.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the United States
Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, shall support research on
mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases that has clear
scientific value and direct relevance to the health of members and
veterans of the Armed Forces, in accordance with the appropriate
congressionally directed medical research program, with the goal of
advancing the understanding, early detection, and treatment of
asbestos-related mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
``(b) Administration.--The Secretary shall carry out this section
in collaboration with--
``(1) the Director of NIH;
``(2) the Director of the National Institute of
Occupational Safety and Health; and
``(3) the head of any other agency, as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for
fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.
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