Source: Seatle Post-Intelligencer

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer profiles Judy Clauson, a forty-four year-old mother of two who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Ms. Clauson is part of the disturbing trend of the next generation of mesothelioma victims: younger than previous victims and a woman, with no direct exposure to asbestos. Her exposure was from the clothes of her ex-husband, a metal worker, whose work attire was often covered in large amounts of the carcinogenic fibers. This type of exposure, known as para-occupational exposure, is a strong sign of just how toxic asbestos fibers can be to the body.

Ms. Clauson is a strong supporter of Sen. Patty Murray's "Ban Asbestos in American Act of 2007," which seeks to ban the use and the importation of asbestos and asbestos-containing products within the next three years. A previous effort to ban asbestos, attempted in 1989 when the EPA instituted its own ban, was overturned by a federal court after intense lobbying from asbestos industry players. A few years after the federal court's decision, Sen. Murray first introduced legislation banning asbestos. However, that bill was never given a real opportunity to become law. In May of this year, Sen. Murray once again began pushing for passage of legislation banning asbestos and with the Democratic majority in Congress she feels her chances have never been better.

Ms. Clauson hopes that the legislation will pass. She knows the bill will not be able to help her, but she wants to make sure that no one else is ever diagnosed with asbestos-related disease.

Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma