FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2013
Asbestos Victims, Families and Experts Ask, “Why Has the U.S. Not Banned Asbestos? Why Do We Still Import Asbestos?”
ADAO Calls for U.S. Surgeon General Benjamin to Issue an Immediate Warning on Asbestos
Washington, D.C. — More than one hundred people are convening in Washington, D.C. this weekend for the 9th Annual International Asbestos Conference to highlight the dangers of asbestos in the workplace, as well as in home renovations, construction and natural disasters. The conference will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, March 23 and features a variety of speakers, including Dr. Richard Lemen, United States Assistant Surgeon General (retired), who will deliver a presentation entitled “The Role of Government in Preventing Asbestos Exposure.”
“Asbestos is a dangerous toxin,” said Linda Reinstein, President and Co-Founder of the nonprofit Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). “Yet the U.S. continues to import asbestos to ‘meet manufacturing needs.’ Millions of tons of asbestos remain in U.S. homes, schools, offices, and factories today. We strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to join the U.S. Senate by urging the Surgeon General to warn and educate people about asbestos exposure, which may be hazardous to their health. Congress must prioritize legislative action to ban asbestos.”
In 2006, Reinstein lost her husband to mesothelioma, an asbestos-caused cancer that often leads to death 4 to 18 months after diagnosis. Most people assume that asbestos victims were exposed at their workplace, but Reinstein pointed out that homeowners doing repairs, children in schools, and adults in a variety of situations throughout their lives are exposed to asbestos. In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the U.S. consumed about 1,180 tons of asbestos in 2011, a 13% increase from 1,040 tons in 2010. Most recently, homeowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy were unwittingly exposed to asbestos when their homes and stores were damaged or destroyed during the storm.
Reinstein applauded the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing Senate Resolution 66 this week, designating April 1-7, 2013 as “National Asbestos Awareness Week.” “This important week raises public awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure,” Reinstein said. Read details about National Asbestos Awareness Week in ADAO’s press release, which can be accessed at http://bit.ly/YBJs0N . Registration and information about the 9th Annual International Asbestos Conference can be found at http://bit.ly/P6jg5Z.
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Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, and exposure can cause mesothelioma and lung, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and ovarian cancers, as well as non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The World Health Organization estimates that 107,000 workers around the world die each year of an asbestos-related disease, equaling 300 deaths per day.
ADAO will hold its 9th Annual International Asbestos Awareness Conference on March 22-24, 2013 in Washington, D.C.
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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) was founded by asbestos victims and their families in 2004. ADAO seeks to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure. ADAO is an independent global organization dedicated to preventing asbestos-related diseases through education, advocacy, and community. For more information, visit www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org.
Media Contact:
Doug Larkin
Director of Communications
Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)
(202) 391-1546
doug@asbestosdiseaseawareness.org
www.asbestosdiseaseawareness.org