Nurses can educate themselves and their families, students, and colleagues by staying current on asbestos-related issues ("Research Needed for Mesothelioma,"Viewpoint, December 2003).

Our newspapers are filled with stories about incompetent asbestos removal. We can respond by writing letters to the editor and working within the community to improve removal practices. Also, stay up to date on pending legislation, such as that discussed by author Elana Lanzetta, RN, particularly the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2003 (S 1125), which will not benefit victims but the corporations they sue. This bill will likely resurface this year, and I encourage nurses to write or call their senators, telling them not to support this measure.

To gain more funding for research, we need to ensure access to accurate information (visit the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation's Web site, http://www.marf.org) and to focus more attention on this topic in the media.

Barbara Walter, NP