A resolution designating the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week".

Jeff Merkley

Democrat · OR · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Alex Padilla (D-CA)Original· 2026-03-27
• Cory A. Booker (D-NJ)Original· 2026-03-27
• Edward J. Markey (D-MA)Original· 2026-03-27
• Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)Original· 2026-03-27
• Steve Daines (R-MT)Original· 2026-03-27

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1690; text: CR S1675)

2026-03-27

Source: Congress.gov

This resolution sets aside the first week of April each year to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos, a toxic material that can cause serious lung diseases and cancer when people are exposed to it. The designation encourages educational efforts and public health campaigns to inform workers, homeowners, and the general public about asbestos risks and safe handling practices. The resolution has already passed the Senate without any objections.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. Res. 666 Agreed to Senate (ATS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 666 Designating the first week of April as ``National Asbestos Awareness Week''. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 27 (legislative day, March 26), 2026 Mr. Merkley (for himself, Mr. Daines, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Markey, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to _______________________________________________________________________ RESOLUTION Designating the first week of April as ``National Asbestos Awareness Week''. Whereas dangerous asbestos fibers are invisible and cannot be smelled or tasted; Whereas the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers can cause significant damage; Whereas asbestos fibers can cause cancer, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other health problems; Whereas symptoms of asbestos-related diseases can take between 10 and 50 years to present themselves; Whereas the projected life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with mesothelioma is between 6 and 24 months; Whereas little is known about late-stage treatment of asbestos-related diseases, and there is no cure for those diseases; Whereas early detection of asbestos-related diseases might give some patients increased treatment options and might improve the prognoses of those patients; Whereas, although the consumption of asbestos within the United States has been substantially reduced, United States consumers continue to purchase tons of the fibrous mineral each year for use in certain products; Whereas thousands of people in the United States have died from asbestos-related diseases, and thousands more die every year from those diseases; Whereas, although individuals continue to be exposed to asbestos, safety measures relating to, and the prevention of, asbestos exposure have significantly reduced the incidence of asbestos-related diseases and can further reduce the incidence of those diseases; Whereas thousands of workers in the United States face significant asbestos exposure, which has been a cause of occupational cancer; Whereas a significant percentage of all victims of asbestos-related diseases were exposed to asbestos on naval ships and in shipyards; Whereas asbestos was used in the construction of a significant number of office buildings and public facilities built before 1975; Whereas people in the small community of Libby, Montana, suffer from asbestos- related diseases, including mesothelioma, at a significantly higher rate than people in the United States as a whole; and Whereas the designation of a ``National Asbestos Awareness Week'' for the 21st year will continue to raise public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates the first week of April as ``National Asbestos Awareness Week''; (2) urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about the public health issue of asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Office of the Surgeon General. <all>

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