The General Assembly finds: That exposure to asbestos, a known carcinogenic agent, creates a significant hazard to the health of the people of this State; That projects to remove asbestos expose increasing numbers of asbestos removers to this hazard; That it is in the public interest to protect asbestos removers from this hazard by requiring adherence to strict safety standards on asbestos removal projects; and That stricter penalties and independent testing are needed to safeguard the health of asbestos removers in the State.