U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) today introduced and passed a resolution in the U.S. Senate to designate April 1-7 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. The resolution specifically draws attention to the town of Libby and urges the U.S. Surgeon General to warn and educate people about the health issues that come with asbestos exposure.
“Far too many Montanans have suffered because of toxic exposure to asbestos, especially in the towns of Libby and Troy. National Asbestos Awareness Week is an important way to call attention to the dangers of asbestos and protect the health and safety of our communities,” said Daines.
“There’s no safe level of asbestos exposure, and it’s tragically affected many residents and mining workers in towns like Libby and Troy. As cleanup efforts continue, during National Asbestos Awareness Week, we must ensure that Montanans are aware of the dangers of asbestos to reduce the risk of exposure,” said Sheehy.
Read the text HERE.
Background:
In early 2000, Libby and surrounding communities were placed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List due to uncovered, widespread asbestos contamination. Over 200 residents of Libby have died and thousands more have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Daines has co-led this annual resolution to designate National Asbestos Awareness Week since 2017.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Rachel Dumke