Posted on February 22, 2016
ADAO Holds 9th Annual Congressional Briefing in 12 Years
Asbestos Luncheon Staff Briefing on February 23 to Include Bipartisan Judiciary, Health, and Environmental Staffers Representing Half of the Nation
Washington, DC — February 22, 2016 — The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, eliminating asbestos-related diseases, and protecting asbestos victims’ civil rights; today announced that it will hold its Ninth Annual Congressional Staff Briefing in twelve years on February 23.
The bipartisan briefing luncheon includes Judiciary, Health, and Environmental staffers representing half of the nation. The topic Asbestos: Impact on Consumer Safety, Public Health, and Asbestos Victims’ Civil Rights, highlights the latest facts, statistics and news reports about the asbestos and mesothelioma health crisis and the urgent need for a ban, as well as laws to protect victims and their families.
“More damning evidence is uncovered every day that fully implicates companies that use asbestos to put profits before lives,” stated ADAO Co-founder and President Linda Reinstein. “For example, when Ford was initially exploring alternatives to asbestos brake linings, the company issued this horrific 1971 Ford company memo that said, ‘but the cost penalty is severe ($1.25/car just for front-end brakes).’ This is unbelievable to think that a human life is worth less than $1.25. During these past 17 years, an estimated 170,000 Americans have died from preventable, asbestos-caused deaths and Congress has allowed the importation of over 87,000 metric tons of asbestos to meet ‘manufacturing needs’ at the expense of Americans’ health. We hope that this briefing helps educate and unite Congress to prioritize legislative action to stop asbestos imports and ban asbestos now to end the deadly asbestos legacy.”
Congressional Staff Briefing Speakers:
- Linda Reinstein, ADAO President/CEO/Co-Founder (CA)
- Heather Von St. James, Mesothelioma Patient (MN)
- Julie Gundlach, Mesothelioma Patient (MO)
- Marilyn Amento, Mesothelioma Widow (PA)
- Annamarie Kearns, Mesothelioma Patient (UT)
Focus:
The informational briefing will focus on:
- Reducing Exposure to Asbestos Database (READ) Act (S. 700)
- Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency (FACT) Act (S. 357)
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 1976 reconciliation and need to ban asbestos
Asbestos Facts: VICTIMS’ CIVIL RIGHTS
- Asbestos has not been banned and imports continue
- Asbestos kills between 12,000 – 15,000 Americans each year
- Asbestos is still found in homes, schools, offices, and consumer products
- Americans cannot identify asbestos or manage the health risk
Exposure to asbestos, a human carcinogen, can cause mesothelioma, lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers; as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 107,000 workers around the world will die every year of an asbestos-related disease, equaling 300 deaths per day.
###
About the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO is the largest non-profit in the U.S. dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice through our education, advocacy, and community initiatives. ADAO seeks to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, advocate for an asbestos ban, and protect asbestos victims’ civil rights. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Media Contact:
Kim Cecchini
Media Relations
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
(202) 391-5205
Kim@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org