Minnesota’s 4th District Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum is calling for the creation of a special closed-panel meeting regarding asbestos issues in Washington D.C.

The meeting is regarding 10 workers who claim they were exposed to asbestos in the utility tunnels underneath the Capitol.

The plight of these 10 workers first became public knowledge two years ago.

Although workers raised the issue two years ago and received a settlement in 2007, the settlement awarded damages for harassment they endured after making the claims, and did not relate to any chemical damage. Many of the workers are still pursuing compensation for medical expenses.

Asbestos can be deadly if inhaled. The fibers can become permanently lodged in the soft tissues of the lungs, leading to chronic respiratory problems and scarring of the lung tissue.

Asbestos is linked to asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, is very aggressive. Mesothelioma has been known to kill patient’s months after diagnosis.

“I want to know for myself whether or not in my mind things were handled in the most expedient way and to the highest moral standard,” said Rep. McCollum at a hearing of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

McCollum succeeded Rep. Bruce Vento, who passed away in 2000 after contracting mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.

McCollum has made it a point to continue meeting periodically with the tunnel workers since they raised concerns about the condition of the Capitol’s tunnels.

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