A resolution designating the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 140
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-26: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: CR S1875)
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-09T21:00:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution designates the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week" to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, its health risks, and the need for prevention and early detection of related diseases. It highlights the ongoing prevalence of asbestos-related illnesses in the U.S., marking the 20th year of such a designation.
Key Provisions
- Designation: Officially recognizes the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week."
- Call to Action: Urges the Surgeon General (a top U.S. public health official) to educate the public about the hazards of asbestos exposure and its potential to cause serious health issues.
- Transmission: Requests that the Secretary of the Senate send a copy of the resolution to the Office of the Surgeon General to support these efforts.
The resolution includes extensive "whereas" clauses detailing facts about asbestos, such as its invisible nature, links to cancers like mesothelioma and asbestosis, long latency periods (10-50 years for symptoms), lack of cures, ongoing U.S. consumption, historical exposure in workplaces (e.g., shipyards), buildings built before 1975, and higher rates in places like Libby, Montana.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution and introduces no changes to existing laws or regulations. It continues a tradition without altering statutes on asbestos use, safety standards, or public health policies.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases public knowledge of asbestos risks, potentially encouraging early detection, safer practices, and reduced exposure, which could lower future disease rates among workers, residents of older buildings, and affected communities.
- On Government Agencies: Symbolically prompts the Surgeon General's office to issue warnings or educational materials, but imposes no mandates or funding requirements.
- On International Relations: None, as it focuses solely on domestic public health awareness.
Overall, impacts are educational and awareness-focused, with no direct enforcement or economic effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- General Public and At-Risk Individuals: People exposed to asbestos through work, older buildings, or environmental sources, including victims of related diseases and their families.
- Workers and Occupations: Thousands of U.S. workers in industries like shipbuilding, construction, and manufacturing facing ongoing exposure risks.
- Specific Communities: Residents of areas like Libby, Montana, with elevated asbestos-related illness rates.
- Health and Government Officials: The Surgeon General and public health agencies involved in education and prevention efforts.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on asbestos awareness, occupational safety, and cancer research.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no binding force and cannot enforce actions or allocate resources; it serves only as a symbolic statement.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to designate observances for public awareness, raising no constitutional concerns.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by Senators from both parties) underscores broad consensus on public health issues; it promotes non-partisan education without controversy, potentially aiding long-term policy discussions on asbestos regulation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (7)
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-26: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1864; text: CR S1875)
- 2025-03-26: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Designating the first week of April 2025 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (3 pages)