Coalition for Breathing Safety

Letters


	Read Letter from Six Respirator Manufacturers to President Bush 6/20/06 (PDF) Read Letter from 86 Members of Congress urging President Bush to stockpile n95 respirator masks 5/25/06 (PDF)

About the Coalition


	The Coalition for Breathing Safety was formed in 2004 to ensure that millions of emergency responders, workers and citizens across the globe continue to have access to respiratory safety products. The Coalition is seeking a federal solution to protect companies that make these products from tens of thousands of lawsuits now threatening their availability. Coalition members include U.S. respirator manufacturers responsible for approximately half of all n95 respirator masks produced in the United States.

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The Issues

WHY FEDERAL LEGISLATION IS NEEDED TO ASSURE CONTINUED ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING RESPIRATORS

Millions of workers, responders, and citizens in the United States and around the world depend on the availability of respirators (masks) for protection against exposure to hazardous materials and in the event of terrorist incidents, airborne disease epidemics, and other disasters.

Preparations for a defense and response against the pending avian flu pandemic are underway and will rely heavily on the use of respirators as part of the first line of defense against this virus. France has begun stockpiling 685 million n95 masks in preparation for a flu pandemic just for first responders, while the U.S. Government to date has issued one request for proposals for 50 million masks. The recent experience with SARS showed that countries will embargo exports of respirator masks in the case of a global pandemic. The U.S. will need its domestic sources for these masks.

A rising tide of silica-related lawsuits naming respirator manufacturers and others as defendants is threatening the availability of respirators as a safety protection product. Respirator manufacturers’ litigation costs in 2004 equaled more than 90% of the net income earned from these products. U.S. respirator manufacturers are compelled to withhold further investment in production capacity, exit the marketplace or manufacture abroad for foreign buyers where no litigation crisis exists.

Respirator manufacturers do not generate contaminants. Their only role is to help reduce workers' exposure to dangerous substances.

It is bad public policy to permit frivolous lawsuits against an industry that is vital to protecting the public from harm caused by contaminants it did not produce or disperse.

Legislation is needed to assure continued commercial availability of respirators. The Coalition supports S.1406 and H.R. 2357, sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Representatives Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Tim Holden (D-PA) respectively, that would prohibit defective design or failure to warn claims against respirator manufacturers who follow National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved designs and warnings.

Federal Legislation Needed to Assure Access to Life-Saving Respirators. More

Press Releases

Can the U.S. afford a shortage of respirator masks to fight flu pandemic? 9/19/06 Read

Six Respirator Manufacturers Warn President Bush of Imminent Shortage of Masks Necessary For Avian Flu Pandemic Response. 6/22/06 Read

Respirator Manufacturers Critical Of Avian Flu Plan; Bogus Silica Lawsuits Threaten U.S. Stockpile. 5/3/06 Read

Bogus Silica Lawsuits Hamper Disposable Respirator Mask Industry Ability to Meet Demand As Government Ramps Up Avian Flu Response Plans. 4/28/06 Read

U.S. Respirator Manufacturers Concerned About Meeting Skyrocketing Demand for Masks Needed For Avian Flu Preparation Due to Bogus Silicosis Lawsuits. 3/16/06 Read

Press Release Archive

Press Contact:

Paul Nathanson
George Felcyn
The PBN Company
Tel. 202-466-6210
Fax: 202-466-6205
Paul.Nathanson@pbnco.com
George.Felcyn@pbnco.com

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