Paul Zygielbaum was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2003 and for the last
12 years has been an outspoken advocate for mesothelioma victims’
rights, medical research and a ban of asbestos. Paul was recently profiled in an
SF Gate article in which he states: “The goal is to die of something else.”
Over 60 countries worldwide have banned asbestos. Shockingly, this does
not include the U.S. As the article correctly observes, “Congress
has made several efforts to legislate a ban — all thwarted by industrial
lobbies and partisan wrangling.”
Asbestos is dangerous at any percentage, even under 1% in a product. It
is beyond comprehension that it has not yet been completely banned in
the U.S., and sadly there seems to be no end in sight. The article states,
“It’s safe to say prospects are bleak for any effort in the
114th Congress to ban asbestos. In fact, a bill to reduce corporate asbestos
liability, passed by the House last year, is now expected to be introduced
in the Senate early in 2015.”
Linda Reinstein, president and co-founder of the
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, who lost her husband to mesothelioma in 2006, says, “I am gravely
concerned about the new 2015 Senate and fear that asbestos victims’
civil rights and public health will be buried […]”
A long uphill battle remains, but thanks to mesothelioma warriors like
Paul, Linda and countless others, the battle will continue until it is won.
We have been covering Paul’s extraordinary story since the firm participated
in the handling of Paul’s asbestos legal claims. See the links below
to learn more about Paul’s efforts to ban asbestos, raise public
awareness about the continuing threat posed by asbestos and support medical
research into new treatments for mesothelioma.
*** Paul passed away on January 25, 2019 ***
More from Paul Zygielbaum:
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Anthrax and Asbestos: One Condemned, the Other Excused. Letter to John Stewart by Paul Zygielbaum. (3/14/06)
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Paul Zygielbaum Statement, Press Conference, LBJ Room of the State Capitol, Washington, D.C. (2/7/06)
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Ambushed by the Asbestos Industry (1/23/06)
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"Arlen Specter on Asbestos Legislation." Op Ed to the New York Times (5/25/05)
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Mesothelioma Victim Explains How Asbestos Bill Will Let Companies "Continue to Get Rich Off the Sickness and Death
of People Like Me" (4/13/05)
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Message to Congress: Clean Up the Mess by Banning Asbestos, Funding Medical Research and Compensating
the Seriously Injured. Paul Zygielbaum (1/7/05)
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Letters from Paul Zygielbaum to U.S. Representatives (2004)