Asbestos No More: Historic Asbestos Ban Passag...(widespread and unknowing exposure to thi...),Health

Meso Foundation Executive Director Chris Hahn explains the importance of the fact that the legislation not only bans asbestos but provides the beginnings of an investment in medical research for meso. "Meso's latency is as long as 50 years, so today, millions of Americans who were exposed in the past five decades are at risk. And it is inevitable, given today's current levels of asbestos exposure, that death from mesothelioma will continue for decades. So alongside the ban, there needs to be much greater funding for research and treatment of this aggressive disease."

Former Minnesota Congressman Bruce Vento died in 2000 from mesothelioma, likely caused by minimal contact with asbestos while working in factories as a young man. Vento represented Minnesota's Fourth District from 1977 to 2000.

"Bruce would be so proud to know that his friend and successor is leading the way in the House for passage of a bill that will ban asbestos, increase public awareness of the very real risks related to asbestos and fund critically needed medical research for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases," said Sue Vento, wife of the late Congressman. "Rep. McCollum's legislation is definitely needed and is much appreciated by those who have experienced the devastation of mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos."

The International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma will feature medical panelists and speakers: Hon. Patty Murray, United States Senator; Hon. Betty McCollum, United States Congresswoman; Chris Hahn, Executive Director, Meso Foundation; Susan Vento, Board of Directors, Meso Foundation; Mary Beth Buchholz, Vice President, Government Affairs, BatesNeimand; Courtney Broaddus, MD, University of California, San Francisco; Harvey Pass, MD, New York
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