Thomas Daschle: “I am disappointed we have come to debate the asbestos issue under these circumstances. I agree with much of what the…”

“I am disappointed we have come to debate the asbestos issue under these circumstances. I agree with much of what the majority leader has said about the need for the Senate and our country to constructively address this problem. I agree there has been a negative economic impact on many of our most prestigious businesses throughout the country. I agree in many ways the current system has been deficient. So there is much of what the majority leader said in his description of the situation with which I agree. He did not mention, but I think it ought to be noted, that as we speak the estimate is 1.3 million Americans are still exposed to asbestos in their places of work; that asbestos is still legal in this country; and that we import 29 million pounds of asbestos each year, a 300 percent increase in the last decade. He did not mention, but I think it also is noteworthy, the peak death toll for asbestos is not likely to occur for approximately 15 years. The primary asbestos-related illnesses could cause at least 100,000 deaths: mesothelioma, asbestosis. An average 10,000 victims per year die from asbestos exposure. More Americans die of asbestos-related illness than drownings and fires combined already. Estimates range that current and future victims could be--and this is a stunning number--1.2 million to 2.6 million people.”