National Asbestos Awareness Day Award Winner Announced
March 31 2005 The Johnson Law Firm announced today the winner of its inaugural National Asbestos Awareness Day Award for outstanding contribution to public education and awareness of mesothelioma lung cancer
The Hon Harry Reid DNV Senate Minority Leader was announced as the winner of this years award for his contribution to establishing April 1 as National Asbestos Awareness Day
In announcing the award Steven Johnson founder of the Johnson Law Firm wwwnationwidejusticecommesothelioma_asbestos said As mesothelioma lawyers we see daily the horrible impact asbestos has on people We are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure because greater awareness and education can reduce both exposure and the resulting cases of mesothelioma The Johnson Law Firms mesothelioma attorneys congratulate Sen Reid for his contributions to public education about mesothelioma
The National Asbestos Awareness Day Award will honor an individual who contributes to public education of asbestos related cancers including mesothelioma
Sen Reid submitted the following resolution S Res 43 to the Senate Judiciary Committee
Whereas deadly asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted
Whereas when airborne fibers are inhaled or swallowed the damage is permanent and irreversible
Whereas these fibers can cause mesothelioma asbestosis lung cancer and pleural diseases
Whereas
asbestosrelated diseases can take 10 to 50 years to present themselves
Whereas the expected survival rate of those diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months
Whereas little is known about late stage treatment and there is no cure for
asbestosrelated diseases
Whereas early detection of
asbestosrelated diseases would give patients increased treatment options and often improve their prognosis
Whereas asbestos is a toxic and dangerous substance and must be disposed of properly
Whereas nearly half of the more than 1000 screened firefighters police officers rescue workers and volunteers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks on September 11 2001 have new and persistent respiratory problems
Whereas the industry groups with the highest incidence rates of
asbestosrelated diseases based on 2000 to 2002 figures were shipyard workers vehicle body builders including rail vehicles pipefitters carpenters and electricians construction including insulation work and stripping extraction energy and water supply and manufacturing
Whereas the United States imports more than 30000000 pounds of asbestos used in products throughout the Nation
Whereas
asbestosrelated diseases kill 10000 people in the United States each year and the numbers are increasing
Whereas asbestos exposure is responsible for 1 in every 125 deaths of men over the age of 50
Whereas safety and prevention will reduce asbestos exposure and
asbestosrelated diseases
Whereas asbestos has been the largest single cause of occupational cancer
Whereas asbestos is still a hazard for 1300000 workers in the United States
Whereas asbestosrelated deaths have greatly increased in the last 20 years and are expected to continue to increase
Whereas 30 percent of all asbestosrelated disease victims were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards
Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of virtually all office buildings public schools and homes built before 1975 and
Whereas the establishment of a National Asbestos Awareness Day would raise public awareness about the prevalence of
asbestosrelated diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure Now therefore be it
Resolved That the Senate designates the first day of April 2005 as National Asbestos Awareness Day
The Johnson Law Firm represents mesothelioma victims and their families nationwide Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos for which there is no cure Over 2000 people die from mesothelioma each year in the United States More information about mesothelioma and the National Asbestos Awareness Day Award is available at httpwwwnationwidejusticecommesothelioma_asbestos or toll free at 18663740338
National Asbestos Awareness Day Award Winner Announced
