Asbestos in the Attic: Murray Highlights Danger at Abandoned Spokane Home

When I first heard about the dangers of asbestos exposure a few years ago, I couldn't believe it. Like most Americans, I thought we had banned asbestos long ago. But as I learned, asbestos was never successfully banned in the U.S.

It's hard to believe but to this day asbestos is still put in consumer products -- like brake pads and roofing materials -- on purpose. Everyday auto mechanics and construction workers are exposed to asbestos -- often without knowing it. Tragically, it only takes one, microscopic fiber to cause cancer. That's why last year, I introduced a bill to ban asbestos, to educate the public, and to support research on asbestos diseases.

But two months ago, I learned something even more shocking from an article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Millions of homes, businesses and schools are insulated with a product called Zonolite attic insulation. We know that Zonolite contains asbestos. Few people are aware of the danger. And here's what's truly unbelievable -- our government was about to warn homeowners nationwide about Zonolite insulation, but then someone pulled the plug. The warning was never issued. And today -- in up to 35 million homes, businesses, and schools -- people may be exposed to deadly asbestos without ever knowing it.

According to the Post Dispatch, the EPA and other government agencies were preparing to warn Americans about the dangers and to issue new safety guides for workers. Only those warnings were killed -- apparently by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

It is appalling that our government knew about this danger but suddenly abandoned a plan to warn the American people. If government has any role at all, it must include protecting the public health. No family in America should have to go through what Ralph Busch went through.

So on January 3rd, I wrote to EPA Administrator Whitman. I also wrote to Mitch Daniels, the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. I got a letter back from Administrator Whitman. Unfortunately, it raised more questions than it answered. So on February 6th, I spoke for almost 30 minutes on the Senate floor. I told my colleagues about what happened to Ralph Busch and his wife Donna.

The next week on February 10th I sent letters to the EPA and OMB -- only these letters weren't just from me. They were from ten more Senators and Representatives. We're going to find out why the public was not warned. We're going to find out what role W.R. Grace and the White House played. We're going to pressure the White House, EPA, NIOSH, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and others to do the right thing and warn the public. And then we're going to take the hardest step. We're going to pass legislation to finally ban asbestos, educate the public and fight asbestos diseases. In fact, I'm preparing to reintroduce my bill for this session of Congress.

Of course, asbestos is not a new concern for residents of Spokane. As the Spokesman-Review has reported, for about two decades, deadly material from Libby was processed right here in Spokane. The EPA had to close off the former plant, and today the county is cleaning it up.

Ralph Busch exposed himself and his wife to asbestos when he renovated his home. He never knew about the dangers until he happened to read a story in the Seattle P-I. Today, his dream home is abandoned, his credit is ruined, and his health is a constant worry. Ralph Busch didn't do anything wrong. He couldn't have known about the danger of Zonolite insulation. But today we know, and we can make sure others know. Ralph and Donna, I want to thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for joining us here at your former home to raise public awareness. And I want to promise you that I'm going to do everything I can to make sure we warn the public so that no other family has to live through the nightmare you've experienced.

Marv Sather, as our State's past teacher of the year, you are truly a gift to Washington's students. As you fight your own battle against asbestos, I'm going to fight on your behalf in the Senate to boost funding to treat asbestos diseases.

Dr. Whitehouse, I want to thank you for being not only a doctor but also an advocate to so many people in Libby and Spokane. I want to make sure that fewer people will need your help fighting asbestos diseases in the future.

In closing, if I could share just two sentences with every American, I would say this: Deadly asbestos may be in your attic. If you have Zonolite attic insulation, do not touch it, get professional help, and tell your representatives to pass my bill so we can ban asbestos once and for all.

Before we take questions, I want to mention two resources that homeowners can visit for more information. First is the EPA's website at www.epa.gov/asbestos. Another resources is my own website (