Congress Considers Requiring Companies to Publicly Disclose Asbestos Use

A recent study disclosed that New Jersey ranks eighth in the nation for asbestos-related deaths, with a rate of 7.2 deaths per 100,000 people compared to a national rate of 4.9 deaths per 100,000 people. This information comes as little surprise considering some of the largest asbestos products manufacturers are located here: Johns Manville and Honeywell International.

Asbestos was commonly used in the manufacturing of certain commercial products, including insulation, drywall and plaster. The toxicity of asbestos was first reported about 50 years ago. While many people believe asbestos has since been banned, it hasn’t. Now there is a bill in Congress that if passed would require companies to publicly disclose, through annual reports and a searchable database, any products that are made from asbestos. For details, read Susan K. Livio’s article on www.nj.com entitled “N.J. home to 8th highest number of asbestos-related deaths.”