ADAO Mission

2019 Year-In-Review

2018 Year-In-Review

2017 Year-In-Review

2016 Year-In-Review

2015 Year-In-Review 

2014 Year-In-Review   

2013 Year-In-Review

2012 Year-In-Review

2011 Year-In-Review

2010 Year-In-Review

ADAO, the largest nonprofit in the United States dedicated to providing asbestos victims and concerned citizens with a united voice, significantly expanded its global reach through increased education, advocacy, and community initiatives in 2010. More than 6,000 strong, ADAO took its voice to the front lines to help influence policy and regulatory changes

in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Asia to fuel the ban on asbestos and promote ongoing research. We strengthened our network of victims, physicians, researchers, public health practitioners, and labor union members even further by utilizing powerful online resources and social media tools including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Our 2010 growth has been exponential and we excitedly look forward to continued success in 2011.

Education Initiatives:

  • ADAO’s new website, launched in January 2010, showcases content concerning ADAO’s foundational pillars of education, advocacy, and community; and houses extensive resources for visitors to explore.
  • ADAO Asbestos Video Library is continually updated with conference videos, news, and videotaped presentations to educate the public, raise awareness, and offer insight into past events.
  • ADAO’s website showcases newly developed educational materials on asbestos and asbestos-related disease, including the Top Ten Reasons to Ban Asbestos Now, Identifying Asbestos in the Home, and the ADAO Asbestos Penny Slide.
  • ADAO’s 6th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference brought together more than 125 world renowned physicians, researchers, educators, and public health advocates for a three day conference in Chicago to discuss updates on the prevention, detection, treatment, and global advocacy of asbestos-related disease.
  • ADAO is working towards its 7th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference, “Asbestos: Impact on Public Heath, Environment, and the Economy,” which will be held April 1 – 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Press Release.
  • ADAO representatives participated in numerous international conferences and events:
    • Linda Reinstein, ADAO CEO and Co-Founder, led a panel discussion in April 2010 regarding the risks of exposure among local workers and recommended global advocacy initiatives at the 11th Inter-American Congress on Prevention of Occupation Risksin Mexico City.
    • Linda Reinstein presented at the biannual iMig Conference held in Kyoto this year on “Moving Beyond Mesothelioma Diagnosis & Empowering Patients with Increased Literacy.”
    • ADAO Scientific Advisory Board Co-Chairs Drs. Arthur Frank and Richard Lemen, Barry Castleman, ScD, Sharry Erzinger, PhD, and Linda Reinstein comprised the “Disease Prevention and Social Justice: The Case of Asbestos” panel at the 138th Annual APHA Meeting & Exposition, educating approximately 12,000 renowned public health and medical experts on the topic. 2010 ADAO Presentation Materials.

Advocacy Initiatives:

  • During numerous trips to Washington, DC, ADAO met with more than 40 Congressional offices, the EPA, and the White House this year. 2010 ADAO Brochure.
  • ADAO organized a U.S. House of Representatives Staff Briefing for more than 20 congressional offices in June 2010 on the impact of asbestos on public health, the economy, and the environment. Briefing Highlights.
  • ADAO participated in a U.S. House of Representatives stakeholders meeting to discuss The Safe Chemicals Act (TSCA) reform.
  • Linda Reinstein presented at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “OSHA Listens” in March 2010 on the continued dangers associated with occupational exposure to asbestos.
  • ADAO pushed to remove Serpentine as California’s State Rock through the Drop the Rock campaign. In June 2010, Linda Reinstein testified before the California State Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee on the offensive symbol that lauds the asbestos industry and denigrates asbestos victims. Due to fiscal insolvency and calendar pressures, the bill died in the assembly after being passed by the committee.
  • ADAO helped fund a six member Asian Delegation to Canada to curtail the production and global exportation of asbestos mined in the country through numerous press conferences and meetings with officials.

Community Initiatives:

  • ADAO’s new Facebook Page and Group pages serve as an interactive medium for those seeking a space to share, vent, or obtain information.
  • Through the launch of the Global Ban Asbestos Network (GBAN), an independent interactive non-profit portal, ADAO and other participating organizations aim to bring together interactive social media outlets to end asbestos mining and use worldwide, thereby preventing continued exposure to this known human carcinogen. Press Release.
  • ADAO’s GBAN Facebook page was launched to increase global communication, collaboration, and action.
  • More than 165 worldwide victims joined “Voices on the Wall” to express opposition to Canadian asbestos exportation and to share their individual viewpoints online.
  • ADAO launched a “Light a Candle” website to honor loved ones who have lost or are currently fighting their courageous battle with asbestos-related disease.
  • ADAO’s coalition networks continue to expand and this year’s efforts included:
    • Increased collaboration with the scientific, medical, environmental, and labor communities,
    • Participation in National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the prevalence of asbestos-caused lung cancer through The Lung Cancer Alliance’s “National Shine a Light on Lung Cancer Vigil” on November 4, and
    • Donation of a new cryogenic freezer to Dr. Brad Black’s CARD Clinic to aid the treatment of asbestos victims and ongoing research in Libby, Montana.