Many clients in the asbestos litigation are shocked to learn that the sale of asbestos is not illegal. Even in 2014, where people continue to die of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, it remains legal to import asbestos, manufacture asbestos products, and sell asbestos products. No matter what your politics are, you SHOULD be shocked to learn that Congress cannot pass a bill to ban asbestos. Democratic Senator Patty Murray (D-Wa) and Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Ca) fought to pass such a bill, banning asbestos, called the Ban Asbestos in America Act", several years ago. While it initially passed in the Senate, the bill ultimately did not become law.
