Merkley, Bonamici, Bacon Partner on Bipartisan Legislation to Ban Toxic Asbestos, Save Lives

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley partnered with U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) on a bipartisan effort to prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of all six recognized asbestos fibers. The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 protects the health of Americans across the nation by banning this toxic chemical, which experts say there is no safe level for the human body to be exposed to.

"We know asbestos is a killer, and Americans deserve to have a future free of exposure to this deadly carcinogen," said Senator Merkley. "Asbestos has been banned in more than 50 countries around the world, and the United States is just starting to play catch-up by finally cracking down on this public health nightmare. The bipartisan Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 is essential to providing certainty, phasing out all dangerous asbestos fibers, and providing vital public health protections for generations to come."

"It is unacceptable that asbestos use is still legal in the United States today," said Rep. Bonamici. "We've known that asbestos is a dangerous carcinogen for more than half a century, and safer alternatives exist. I am introducing the bipartisan Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Actwith Senator Merkley and Representative Bacon to shield workers and families from further harm."

"We know, without a doubt, that asbestos is a dangerous, deadly substance," said Rep. Bacon. "There is no reason we should be importing asbestos when we know there is a direct connection to mesothelioma and other cancers. I am supporting the bipartisan Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Actto ban the importation of asbestos and protect the American people."

Merkley has been a longtime advocate for banning asbestos and has tirelessly fought to advance legislation with Congresswoman Bonamici to keep this toxic poison away from workers and consumers. He previously chaired a hearing on his legislation to ban the manufacturing, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos in the United States. Merkley also leads a bipartisan effort to mark National Asbestos Awareness Week in April, educating Americans about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

The bipartisan Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 is endorsed by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, International Association of Fire Fighters, Collegium Ramazzini, Environmental Information Association, American Public Health Association, Center for Environmental Health, and Environmental Working Group.

"Asbestos has caused devastating suffering, disease, and death for decades-claiming more than 40,000 American lives every year. Since the EPA's 1989 asbestos ban was overturned, more than one million Americans have died from entirely preventable asbestos-caused diseases. It is long past time to end asbestos use in the United States and stop the tragedies that continue to devastate families like mine," said Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization. "For the first time, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Actis bipartisan and being co-led in the House by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Don Bacon, with Senator Jeff Merkley championing the bill in the Senate. This bicameral leadership represents the only comprehensive and durable solution to finally eliminate asbestos from commerce and protect all Americans-especially workers, first responders, consumers, children, and disadvantaged communities most at risk of exposure."

"The Collegium Ramazzini, an international scientific society, supports the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025which calls for an immediate ban on all mining and the use of asbestos in all its forms in order to eliminate the continuing burden of disease and death. We urge the immediate passage of this legislation which will save countless lives in our country and globally," said Dr. Melissa McDairmid, on behalf of the Fellows of the Collegium Ramazzini.

"On behalf of the Environmental Information Association (EIA), a non-profit membership organization of persons involved in the asbestos abatement industry, I write to express EIA's strong support for the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Act of 2025. We greatly appreciate your continuing commitment to ban commercial asbestos that has continued for many years. With the passage of ARBAN, the United States will finally join nearly 70 countries that have banned asbestos," said J. Brent Kynoch, Managing Director of the Environmental Information Association.

"There is overwhelming consensus in the scientific community that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. APHA continues to support legislation like the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now (ARBAN) Actto protect the public's health by eliminating all asbestos imports and use," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association.

"EWG commends Sen. Merkley, Rep. Bonamici and Rep. Bacon for their unwavering commitment to finally banning this deadly carcinogen," said Environmental Working Group (EWG) President Ken Cook. "Asbestos-related diseases have claimed countless lives and continue to leave families grieving across the nation. By passing the bipartisan ARBAN Act, Congress can make it unmistakably clear that public health must come before industry profits."

The legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Full text of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 can be found by clicking here.

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