California lawmakers wish to disassociate their state with a mineral that has caused disease and death for many citizens. It’s an important reminder that all forms of asbestos are deadly.
New York, NY (PRWEB) June 26, 2010
The vote by California lawmakers acknowledging the link between mesothelioma and chrysotile asbestos in California’s state rock marks a step forward in the national effort to increase awareness of asbestos-related disease, New York personal injury attorney Joseph Belluck says.
“By their vote, the California Assembly committee helped focus attention on the deadly hazard of chrysotile asbestos,” says Belluck, an attorney who specializes in helping victims of asbestos-related disease and their families.
“California lawmakers wish to disassociate their state with a mineral that has caused disease and death for many citizens” Belluck says. “It’s an important reminder that all forms of asbestos are deadly.”
The California State Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday approved Senate bill 624, which would remove the designation of serpentine as the California state rock. Serpentine contains chrysotile asbestos, the most commercially prevalent form of asbestos.
With the committee’s endorsement, the bill now goes before the full California State Assembly for consideration.
Introduced by state Sen. Gloria Romero of Los Angeles, the bill makes a statement of findings about serpentine and its association with increased risk of mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung or abdomen associated with asbestos exposure.
The bill says that serpentine contains the deadly mineral chrysotile asbestos, a known carcinogen, and that California has the highest rate of mesothelioma deaths in the nation. From 1999 to 2005, 1,779 people in California died of malignant mesothelioma —by far the most deaths of any state, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
“California should not designate a rock known to be toxic to the health of its residents as the state’s official rock,” the bill says.
Serpentine was designated as the official state rock in 1965 before the hazards of asbestos were widely understood by the public. It is found in 49 counties in California.
“By voting to remove serpentine’s official designation, California lawmakers are recognizing the pain and suffering that asbestos-related disease has caused some families,” Belluck says. “That’s progress.”
About Belluck & Fox, LLP
Belluck & Fox LLP is a nationally recognized law firm that represents individuals with asbestos and mesothelioma claims, as well as victims of crime, medical malpractice, motorcycle crashes, lead paint and other serious injuries. The firm has won more than $200 million in compensation for its clients and their families.
Partner Jordan Fox is a well-known asbestos and mesothelioma attorney who has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, New York Magazine’s “the Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and to Super Lawyers. On two separate occasions his verdicts were featured as the National Law Journal’s Largest Verdict of the Year.
Partner Joseph W. Belluck is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in New York Magazine’s “The Best Lawyers in the New York Area” and in Super Lawyers. Mr. Belluck has won numerous cases involving injuries from asbestos, defective medical products, tobacco and lead paint.
For more information, contact the firm at 877-695-2909 or through its online contact form.
###
We're here to help.
Call 1-866-640-6397
©Copyright 1997-, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
ShareThis
